Uncovering Prince Eric's Untold Story in The Little Mermaid Remake

Jonah Hauer-King sheds light on how The Little Mermaid's live-action remake expands Prince Eric's role in the story. While in the original animated movie, Ariel saves Prince Eric's life and he is captivated by her voice, their relationship is not explored in depth beyond their eventual love for each other. However, in the live-action remake, Prince Eric has a more substantial role as his backstory is brought to the forefront and his relationship with Ariel is built on a deeper connection.

In an exclusive interview with Screen Rant, Hauer-King delves deeper into his understanding of Prince Eric's character. He explains how Eric longs for meaning and direction in his life, which leads him to feel lost. These feelings ultimately bring him closer to Ariel. Check out the full interview and quote below:

The portrayal of Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric in the live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid is nothing short of captivating. What sets his performance apart is the depth of his character. While the prince archetype is beloved, Jonah's portrayal adds a layer of complexity that allows the audience to connect with him on a more personal level.

As we meet him, we can see that Eric is lost and searching for something more. He longs for a bigger purpose and a deeper meaning in life. This longing is what ultimately draws him to Ariel, as they both share a desire to explore the unknown and discover what lies beyond the surface.

Jonah's performance truly shines as he navigates the many layers of Eric's character, bringing to life a fully-realized and nuanced portrayal of the beloved prince. Through his portrayal, we come to understand who Eric is and what drives him, making his journey all the more meaningful.

How Expanding Prince Eric's Role Improves The Little Mermaid

The character of Eric in The Little Mermaid live-action adaptation is given more depth and development compared to the original animated film. Apart from his relationship with Ariel, the movie showcases Eric's interest in exploration, which is similar to that of Ariel's. This leads to them bonding over his adventures and developing a deeper connection, making their romance more authentic and deserved.

Eric's character is not limited to his quest to find the mysterious woman who saved him, as the film introduces new struggles in his life. He grapples with his responsibilities at home and his love for adventure, which is another common ground he shares with Ariel. The Little Mermaid's reimagining of the love story between Eric and Ariel brings a new layer of complexity that was missing in the original animated film, and this is achieved by expanding Eric's role.