5 Shocking Ways Prince Eric's Role Was Completely Rewritten In The Little Mermaid (2023)

The 2023 live-action remake of Disney's *The Little Mermaid*, starring Halle Bailey as Ariel, made waves not just for its visual spectacle but for a surprising overhaul of one of its main characters: Prince Eric. Released in May 2023, the film’s creative team, led by director Rob Marshall, understood that a direct copy of the 1989 animated classic’s male lead—who was often criticized as a handsome but passive love interest—would not resonate with modern audiences. This article dives deep into the most significant, and frankly shocking, ways the character of Prince Eric was completely rewritten and fleshed out, transforming him from a simple romantic foil into a complex, independent explorer.

The transformation was essential to give the love story more depth, making Eric a true counterpart to Ariel, rather than just a prize to be won. Actor Jonah Hauer-King, who stepped into the royal shoes, brought a newfound gravitas and curiosity to the role, ensuring the Prince’s journey was just as compelling as the Mermaid’s. The result is a richer, more topical narrative that focuses on the shared human desire for freedom and connection across divided worlds. The live-action Prince Eric is truly a prince for the current era.

Jonah Hauer-King: The Actor Behind the New Prince Eric

The reinvention of Prince Eric was anchored by the casting of British actor Jonah Hauer-King. His portrayal has been widely praised for giving the character the emotional depth and intellectual curiosity that was largely absent in the original animated version. Hauer-King's rising profile and diverse filmography highlight a commitment to challenging roles, even immediately following his Disney debut.

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• Full Name: Jonah Andre Hauer-King
• Born: 30 May 1995
• Birth Place: London, England, UK
• Nationality: British
• Education: Attended St John's College, Cambridge, where he studied Theology and Religious Studies.
• Notable Film & TV Roles (Selected):
  • *The Little Mermaid* (2023) as Prince Eric
  • *The Tattooist of Auschwitz* (Upcoming Miniseries) as Lali Sokolov
  • *World on Fire* (TV Series) as Harry Chase
  • *A Dog's Way Home* (2019) as Lucas
  • *The Last Photograph* (2017) as Luke Hammond

Following the massive global attention from *The Little Mermaid*, Hauer-King took on the profoundly different and demanding lead role of Lali Sokolov in the Sky/Peacock miniseries *The Tattooist of Auschwitz*. This immediate shift from a Disney prince to a Holocaust survivor demonstrates the actor's range and his focus on meaningful, character-driven work.

The Radical New Backstory: Eric’s True Origin and Family

Perhaps the most significant and "shocking" change to Prince Eric's character in the 2023 live-action film is the addition of a complete, detailed backstory and family unit. In the 1989 animated film, Eric’s parents are conspicuously absent, leaving his background a mystery. The live-action version corrected this by introducing a powerful maternal figure and a new family dynamic that directly informs Eric's desire for a life beyond the palace walls.

The film introduces Queen Selina, played by Noma Dumezweni, as Prince Eric’s adoptive mother. The narrative suggests that Eric’s biological parents perished in a shipwreck, a tragic event that links him to the sea in a way the original film never explored. This new origin story creates a powerful thematic parallel with Ariel's own life, where she also feels a disconnect from her father, King Triton, and a longing for the world beyond her immediate home. The Queen’s addition provides a necessary contrast to Ariel's relationship with King Triton, showing a different royal dynamic.

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This change serves two crucial purposes. First, it gives Eric a motivation for his actions and his desire to explore the world, making him an active participant in his own life, not just a man waiting for a princess. Second, it deepens the core theme of the story: the search for belonging and the desire to bridge the gap between two different worlds. Both Ariel and Eric are explorers, dreamers, and outsiders in their own right, making their eventual connection far more meaningful and less reliant on a simple love-at-first-sight trope.

5 Key Ways the Live-Action Prince Eric is a Superior Character

The live-action remake didn't just update Eric’s look; it fundamentally altered his personality and role in the story. These five changes are central to why many fans and critics feel the 2023 Prince Eric is a vast improvement over his animated predecessor.

1. He is an Explorer, Not Just a Prince

The animated Prince Eric loved the sea, but the live-action version elevates this to a core character trait. Eric is shown to be a passionate cartographer and sailor, obsessed with charting new lands and fostering trade with other cultures. He actively seeks to expand his kingdom's horizons, often clashing with the more traditional Queen Selina and his mentor, Sir Grimsby. This shared passion for exploration is what truly connects him with Ariel, who is equally obsessed with the human world.

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2. He Has His Own "I Want" Song

In the animated film, Eric is the only main character without a solo song, which contributed to his lack of depth. The 2023 film corrects this by giving Jonah Hauer-King an original song titled "Wild Uncharted Waters." This song is a pivotal moment, expressing his deep-seated yearning for a life beyond his sheltered existence and his desperate search for the mysterious girl who saved him. This addition instantly makes his emotional state transparent and relatable.

3. He Actively Seeks to Bridge Two Worlds

The new Eric is not content to stay on his island. His entire character arc revolves around the idea of overcoming prejudice and division. He pushes back against the fear-mongering and myths about "sea people" that permeate his kingdom, mirroring Ariel's own defiance of King Triton's anti-human rules. Their relationship becomes a metaphor for breaking down cultural barriers, making the romance much more significant than a simple fairy-tale meeting.

4. He is More Emotionally Vulnerable and Independent

The live-action version portrays Eric as less of a stiff royal figure and more of a young man grappling with the pressures of his adopted royalty. He expresses genuine frustration and a desire for independence, making him a more complex and vulnerable character. His connection with the mute Ariel is therefore built on shared emotional understanding and non-verbal communication, emphasizing their mirror-image status as people who feel constrained by their respective worlds.

5. He Fights Ursula and Saves Himself

While the animated Eric delivers the final blow to Ursula, the 2023 version gives him a more active role in the climactic battle. He is a more capable and hands-on hero, working alongside Ariel to defeat the sea witch. This final act solidifies his position as Ariel's true equal, completing his transformation from a passive prince into a co-adventurer who is willing to risk everything for the woman he loves and the world he wants to create.

Prince Eric’s Lasting Legacy in the Disney Renaissance

The reimagining of Prince Eric is a clear sign of Disney's commitment to modernizing its classic princess narratives. By giving Eric a meaningful backstory, a passionate purpose, and a voice (both literally and figuratively), the 2023 film ensures the character is no longer defined solely by his relationship with the princess. The live-action *The Little Mermaid* successfully turned a one-dimensional love interest into a fully realized, three-dimensional co-lead, setting a new standard for Disney princes in future live-action remakes.

The film’s domestic box office success, grossing over $118 million during its Memorial Day Weekend debut in 2023, is a testament to the changes resonating with audiences, who appreciated the deepened emotional stakes and the compelling chemistry between Jonah Hauer-King's Eric and Halle Bailey's Ariel. The character of Prince Eric now stands as a symbol of shared curiosity and mutual respect, proving that even classic fairy tales can be updated to reflect contemporary values of equality and independence.