Simon Cowell has opened up on Harry Styles’ decision to turn down the role of Prince Eric in the live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid – and revealed that he’s never seen the Disney classic.

Somehow the tale of a singing mermaid who trades her voice for human legs and a shot at love has completely slipped past Simon but he reckons that the former One Direction singer knows what he’s doing by refusing the role.

Although he would have some words if it was Jungle Book adaptation.

‘You know, I’ve got to be honest with you. I don’t think I have ever seen the movie,’ said the music mogul when asked about the news.

‘I said that if it was The Jungle Book and he turned down Baloo or Shere Khan or Bagheera I would have said big mistake!’

Speaking to Hollywood Life, Simon added that he didn’t ‘know enough about’ The Little Mermaid to have an opinion either way though.

As for the reports that perhaps the one Direction boys – Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan or Zayn Malik – may nab the role, Simon diplomatically added: ‘You would have to ask them, they have always made their own decisions.’

Sources close to the production, which will star Halle Bailey as Ariel, claimed Harry ‘is a fan of the project but respectfully declined’ after it was claimed he had been confirmed the role.

Fans had been campaigning for him to get the role – which, let’s be honest, he’s totally made for – since news of the remake was confirmed.

The remake wouldn’t have been Harry’s first foray into film after his role in Christopher Nolan’s critically acclaimed 2017 war movie, Dunkirk.

The singer was also in talks to play Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann’s upcoming biopic but lost out on the role to Austin Butler.

The Little Mermaid remake is the latest Disney classic to be given the 2019 treatment, following on from The Lion King, which also attracted big names including Beyonce and Donald Glover to the cast.

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