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.

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.

Go on and kiss the girl, @Harry_Styles. The singer-turned-actor is in early negotiations to play Prince Eric in #Disney’s live-action remake of #TheLittleMermaid https://t.co/QpLrspDwaP pic.twitter.com/lza7npBI4O

— Hollywood Reporter (@THR) July 16, 2019

\"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.\"

if Harry Styles gets cast as prince eric i will literally audition to play a grain of sand

— Amber Scholl (@AmberScholl) July 16, 2019

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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