Disney/PA ImagesJavier Bardem is in talks to play King Triton as Disney begin to fill out the cast for The Little Mermaid remake.
Earlier this month, it was announced 19-year-old Halle Bailey would be bringing the mermaid princess Ariel to life in the upcoming live action film and ever since there’s been a lot of speculation as to who would be hanging out under the sea alongside her.
Some called for Idris Elba to play her father King Triton but Terry Crews put up a good fight for the role as he shared a brilliant audition video claiming his ‘pecs were better’ and his ‘triton was bigger’ – qualities which are clearly essential when it comes to playing the ruler of Atlantica.
Fans of the Brooklyn Nine-Nine actor made their opinions clear by setting up a petition for Crews to play King Triton but despite their best efforts it looks like Disney have other plans, as Deadline report Bardem is circling the role.
The 50-year-old Spanish actor won the Oscar for Best Actor for his role in the 2007 Coen brothers movie No Country for Old Men – so hopefully he’ll do a good job of bringing King Triton to life if he secures the role.
He’ll certainly have to put on a good show in order to win over those Crews fans, though taking control over the seas is a big job so I’m sure Bardem wouldn’t agree unless he was confident in his trident-wielding abilities.
PA ImagesBardem would be joining the project alongside Melissa McCarthy, who is set to play the sea witch Ursula, as well as Crazy Rich Asians’ Awkwafina as Scuttle and Jacob Tremblay as Flounder.
Harry Styles is said to be in talks to play Prince Eric and although there’s been no mention of who will play angry Chef Louis yet fans are hoping Disney will recognise Gordon Ramsay is the perfect man for the job.
DisneyThe Little Mermaid is being directed by Rob Marshall with a script by David Magee. It’s being produced by Marc Platt, Lin-Manuel Miranda and John DeLuca and the original film’s composer, Alan Menken, is back to write some catchy new tunes for the film. He’ll be crafting the lyrics with Miranda.
Hopefully the role of King Triton will be confirmed soon – though Crews will no doubt be disappointed if he doesn’t make the cut.
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Emily Brown first began delivering important news stories aged just 13, when she launched her career with a paper round. She graduated with a BA Hons in English Language in the Media from Lancaster University, and went on to become a freelance writer and blogger. Emily contributed to The Sunday Times Travel Magazine and Student Problems before becoming a journalist at UNILAD, where she works on breaking news as well as longer form features.