Javier Bardem may be heading back under the sea as the PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES actor is reportedly in talks to join the cast of Disney's upcoming live-action adaptation of THE LITTLE MERMAID. Should he sign on, Bardem would play King Triton, Ariel's father and ruler of Atlantica.
Halle Bailey (Grown-ish) signed on to play Ariel, the mermaid princess who dreams of becoming human, several weeks ago, and it was revealed yesterday that Harry Styles is in early talks to play Prince Eric, Ariel's human love interest. THE LITTLE MERMAID will also star Melissa McCarthy (THE KITCHEN) as Ariel's evil aunt Ursula, and there's also been talk of Jacob Tremblay (GOOD BOYS) voicing Flounder, Ariel's best friend, and Awkwafina (JUMANJIA: THE NEXT LEVEL) voicing Scuttle, a seagull who claims to be an "expert" on human objects. THE LITTLE MERMAID will be directed by Rob Marshall (MARY POPPINS RETURNS) with original composer Alan Menken returning to score new tunes with lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Production on THE LITTLE MERMAID is expected to hit off April 2020. Javier Bardem will next be seen in Denis Villeneuve's DUNE adaptation as Stilgar, the leader of Arrakis' nomadic tribes known as the Fremen. That film is set for a December 20, 2020 release.
We've already seen several of Disney's live-action adaptations this year, including Tim Burton's DUMBO and Guy Ritchie's ALADDIN, and we've got Jon Favreau's THE LION KING set to hit theaters on July 29th. Be sure to check out a review from our own Matt Rooney!