Harry Styles in talks to play Prince Eric in live-action ‘The Little Mermaid’

Former ‘One Direction’ singer Harry Styles is being touted to star opposite singer Halle Bailey in Disney’s new take on the animated romance ‘The Little Mermaid’.

Styles is said to be an early favourite and is currently in discussions with the studio. Styles would star alongside the R&B singer Halle Bailey who will play Ariel and Melissa McCarthy who is rumoured to take on the role of Ursula, The Guardian reported.

In the movie, Eric is the human prince who catches Ariel's eye. The mermaid saves the prince from drowning and then makes a deal with the sea witch Ursula to exchange her voice for legs in order for a chance to make him love her. He is the key in the final battle against Ursula.

Styles’ acting debut was in Christopher Nolan’s 2017 war drama ‘Dunkirk’. The casting of Styles and Bailey show the studio’s intent of making the music a central component of the ‘The Little Mermaid’ remake.