Jonah Hauer-King on becoming Prince Eric in ‘The Little Mermaid’

Actor Jonah Hauer-King will play Prince Eric in Disney’s live-action adaptation of ‘The Little Mermaid’.

Hauer-King auditioned for the role on a whim, thinking it would be a “fun experience”. The 27-year-old underwent several months of auditions, including doing a screen test with Halle Bailey before eventually landing the role, even beating out Harry Styles, who was also being considered.

Though acquiring the role wasn’t the end of the hard work as Hauer-King soon began training, which included learning to scuba dive, ride horses, row, operate a horse carriage and work with dogs as well as three months of rehearsals.

“I’ve never done so much training in my life,” Hauer-King said.

Eric will get a solo song

Alan Menken, who composed the score for the original 1989 animated film, returns alongside Broadway star Lin-Manuel Miranda to compose music for the live-action remake.

The adaptation has cut two songs, ‘Daughters of Triton’ and ‘Les Poissons’, but will feature three new songs, including a solo for Prince Eric.

Hauer-King’s musical background consists of starring in a production of ‘Rent’ in Cambridge and joining an indie rock band as a teenager.

“We were both experiencing something very new, doing a film like this,” Hauer-King said in regards to himself and Bailey. “[S]he obviously had vast experience in the music world, much more than I did, and I’ve probably done a few more acting gigs than she had, but in terms of doing a film like this, there was nothing that really could have prepared us.”

Hauer-King defends Bailey

Unfortunately, Bailey, a woman of color, was subjected to backlash after being casted as Ariel. Hauer-King went on record to defend Bailey as Ariel, stating how she perfectly captures the spirit and charm of the character.

“Rob and the producers and Disney didn’t approach this film and this casting with any kind of agenda, they just wanted to cast the person who was best for the role,” he said. “Ultimately, you want someone who has the best voice and the best spirit and the most charisma, charm and humor and best acting talent, and that’s Halle.”