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Javier Bardem reportedly in talks to play King Triton in live-action 'The Little Mermaid'

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Harry Styles in talks to play Prince Eric in 'Little Mermaid': Report
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images, FILE
ByGeorge Costantino and Michael Rothman
July 18, 2019, 1:11 PM

Javier Bardem, who won an Oscar for playing the relentless killer Anton Chigurh in 2007's "No Country for Old Men," may be brightening up quite a bit for his next role.

The actor is reportedly in talks to play King Triton in Disney’s live-action remake of "The Little Mermaid," according to Variety.

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(MORE: Fans freak out at possibility of Harry Styles playing Prince Eric in 'Little Mermaid')

Bardem would join a cast that, so far, includes "grown-ish" actress Halle Bailey as Ariel, with Harry Styles also reportedly in early talks to play Prince Eric.

Melissa McCarthy and Lizzo have both been rumored for the role of the dreaded Ursula, the woman who takes Ariel's glorious voice. Variety had reported McCarthy joining the cast last month, though nothing has been officially announced.

Bardem, who also played the villainous Raoul Silva in the 2012 Bond film "Skyfall," will next be seen as Stilgar in writer/director Denis Villeneuve's forthcoming film adaptation of Frank Herbert's classic sci-fi novel, "Dune," opposite Timothee Chalamet and Josh Brolin.

Fans have taken to the possible king, especially as it could show more diversity.

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(MORE: Freeform responds to Halle Bailey's 'The Little Mermaid' casting backlash)

One tweeted, "They could make his daughters different ethnicities like different type of fishes. The sea is a colorful place. Excited for the #TheLittleMermaid."

This reported news comes on the heels of reports about Styles on Wednesday, which sent fans into a frenzy.

"Harry Styles playing as Prince Eric is what we ALL deserve," one fan wrote.

Another added, "If Harry Styles gets cast as prince eric i will literally audition to play a grain of sand."

Though none of these are locked in officially other than Bailey, looks like the buzz for this film continues to build each and every day. Life really is better under the sea.

Disney is the parent company of ABC News.

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