Harry Styles could be switching from pop prince to Disney prince: the former One Direction star is "in early negotiations" to play Prince Eric in The Little Mermaid.

Disney's live-action remake of its beloved 1989 animated movie has already cast R&B singer Halle Bailey as Ariel, suggesting music will remain a core component of its storytelling.

Though Prince Eric doesn't sing in the 1989 movie, he does get to belt out two numbers in Disney's Broadway adaptation of The Little Mermaid. According to The Hollywood Reporter, original composer Alan Menken is working on a brand new song for the remake with Lin-Manuel Miranda, so there's a chance this could become a Prince Eric tune as well.

Prince Eric is the movie's male lead, a love interest and loyal supporter of Ariel, who plays a key part in her eventual battle against sea witch Ursula. Melissa McCarthy is in talks to play the iconic villainess.

Meanwhile, Awkwafina and Room's Jacob Tremblay have also been linked to roles in the remake. Rob Marshall, who previously made the acclaimed movie-musicals Chicago and Into the Woods, is directing, and shooting is due to start in early 2020.

Though best known as a singer, Styles made his acting debut in Christopher Nolan's 2017 war movie Dunkirk. He was in the running to play Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann's upcoming big screen biopic of the rock 'n' roll pioneer, but it was revealed earlier this week that the role has gone to Austin Butler. Still, Prince Eric is a pretty sweet consolation prize, no?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3GA21oUf-0

Are you excited to see Harry Styles as a Disney prince?