As revealed by THR, Blindspotting star Daveed Diggs has signed on to portray Sebastian the crab in Disney’s live-action reimagining of its 1989 animated classic The Little Mermaid.
The Little Mermaid is being directed by Rob Marshall (Mary Poppins Returns) from a script by David Magee (Finding Neverland) and sees R&B star Halle Bailey taking on the title role as Ariel.
Bailey and Diggs will be joined in the cast of the film by Melissa McCarthy (Can You Ever Forgive Me?) as Ursula, Awkwafina (Crazy Rich Asians) as Scuttle, Jacob Tremblay (The Predator) as Flounder, and Javier Bardem (Everybody Knows) as King Triton.
Disney and Marshall are yet to cast the key role of Prince Eric, with former One Direction star Harry Styles said to have “respectfully declined” the opportunity. According to reports, Krypton star Cameron Cuffe is said to be among the current contenders.
The Little Mermaid is expected to arrive in 2021, and if rumours are to be believed, it will also be joined on Disney’s slate that year by a live-action take on Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
