So we know that Harry Styles said no to the role of boring ol’ Prince Eric for Disney’s upcoming live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid, much to the disappointment of One Direction fans everywhere. So why did he turn down such a big part? Well, it’s because of music.
Chatting to The Face, Harry said being in The Little Mermaid was “discussed” but he’d rather do his sex and rock ‘n roll music stuff for the time being.
“I want to put music out and focus on that for a while. But everyone involved in it was amazing, so I think it’s going to be great. I’ll enjoy watching it, I’m sure.”
Fair enough to the guy for having the guts and self awareness to turn down such a high profile role in order to focus on what he really wants to do. Plus he’s not really an “actor” per se as he’s only really been in one movie before (Dunkirk) so perhaps being a Disney prince might’ve been too much at this point.
But while he isn’t going keen to be your Prince Eric, he was particularly keen to be Elvis Presley in Buz Luhrmann’s biopic about the late King of Rock n’ Roll.
It wasn’t meant to be either as Austin Butler got the role in the end but Harry isn’t too fussed, saying that despite worshiping Elvis Presley for a good chunk of his life it was for the best that he didn’t get the part if he wasn’t the right person for it.
But hey, let’s look at this with a glass half-full point of view. Harry may not be your new Prince Eric nor will he be Elvis Presley, but the The Little Mermaid will find someone great to fill the role (and hopefully make him less boring) and we’re going to get some nice Harry Styles music instead.
That’s a pretty good consolation prize for everyone.