UPDATED 8:13:19 6:45 p.m. ET: You can end the speculation. According to The Wrap, Harry Styles has turned down an offer to star as Prince Eric in the The Little Mermaid live-action remake. The report states, "Styles is a fan of the project but respectfully declined."

UPDATED 8/13/19 3:42 p.m. ET: Based on a tweet from AMC Theatres, it appeared as though Harry's casting was a done deal; however, the tweet has since been deleted. The waiting game continues.

See original story below.

The Little Mermaid casting is moving right along. The live-action remake's choice of Ariel caused an internet dust-up among racists and other assorted idiots, but the production was not slowed down one bit. The Hollywood Reporter claims that they already have a potential Prince Eric in their sights, looking to cast the One Direction member-turned-actor Harry Styles.

THR reports that Styles is in "early negotiations" to play the iconic role and adds that the remake is showing its hand a bit if casting both Styles and Halle Bailey as the leads. Both actors come from the music world, suggesting a song-heavy remake.

Via THR:

The casting of Styles and Bailey show the studio’s intent of making the music a central component of the remake. Interestingly, the character of Eric performed no songs in the 1989 original. However, that was remedied in the 2000s Broadway musical, with Eric now performing several, including two solos.

Styles has far more singing experience than he does acting credits, but the ex-1D star isn't entirely green. He starred in Christopher Nolan's widescreen World War II epic Dunkirk back in 2017.

As previously mentioned, the casting for The Little Mermaid has already been scrutinized by the internet's worst people. The outcry got bad enough that other Ariels and Disney remake veteran Donald Glover chimed in to support Bailey.

"We were just watching that film and I'm like, that's such a great story but I'm just like, I dunno, I just hope that she's like having fun and don't let anybody make you feel the opposite of how you want to feel," Glover said. "It's a very special role and you earned it, so I hope you're listening."