5 Ways The Live-Action 'Prince Eric' Transformed Disney's Most Underrated Hero
The role of Prince Eric in Disney’s The Little Mermaid has always been one of the most beloved, yet historically underdeveloped, characters in the animated canon. However, the 2023 live-action adaptation, starring British actor Jonah Hauer-King, completely redefined the character, transforming him from a charming, one-dimensional love interest into a complex, curious, and deeply relatable hero. As of December 23, 2025, the film’s significant changes to Eric’s narrative continue to be a major talking point, highlighting a deliberate effort by director Rob Marshall and the creative team to strengthen the central romance and give Eric a compelling inner life that mirrors Ariel’s own longing for a world beyond her own.
The most significant update is the addition of a powerful solo song, "Wild Uncharted Waters," which finally gives the prince a voice—literally—and establishes his desire for exploration and freedom, a thematic parallel to Ariel's journey. This new depth, coupled with Jonah Hauer-King's nuanced performance, has cemented the live-action Prince Eric as a fan-favorite and a benchmark for future Disney prince adaptations.
The Man Behind the Prince: Jonah Hauer-King's Full Profile
Jonah Andre Hauer-King, the actor who stepped into the iconic role of Prince Eric, brought a wealth of experience from both screen and stage, along with a unique educational background that sets him apart from many Hollywood stars.
- Full Name: Jonah Andre Hauer-King
- Born: May 30, 1995 (Age 30 as of 2025)
- Birthplace: London, United Kingdom
- Nationality: British
- Alma Mater: Cambridge University (St John's College)
- Degree: Theology and Religion (Graduated 2017)
- Notable Roles Before The Little Mermaid:
- Film: The Last Photograph (2017), A Dog's Way Home (2019), Postcards from London (2018), Ashes in the Snow (2018)
- Television: Laurie Laurence in the BBC miniseries Little Women (2017), Harry Chase in the BBC war drama World on Fire (2019–present), and roles in Howards End (2017).
Hauer-King's casting was a careful decision by director Rob Marshall, who sought an actor who could convey both the classical charm of a Disney prince and the emotional complexity of a character grappling with duty and personal desire. His background in serious drama and his natural singing ability made him the ideal choice to elevate the character beyond the animated film’s limitations.
"Wild Uncharted Waters": How the Live-Action Film Redefined Prince Eric
One of the most significant and celebrated changes in the 2023 live-action film was the decision to give Prince Eric a full, original solo song. The track, titled "Wild Uncharted Waters," was co-written by original composer Alan Menken and new lyricist Lin-Manuel Miranda, specifically to give the prince a powerful, emotional core.
The song is a soaring power ballad that serves as Eric's "I Want" song, mirroring Ariel’s iconic "Part of Your World." It reveals Eric's deep-seated yearning to escape the confines of his royal life and explore the world, particularly the mysteries of the ocean. This theme of shared curiosity and a mutual feeling of being an outsider is what truly bonds him with Ariel (Halle Bailey), making their love story feel more earned and less like a fairy-tale coincidence.
Critics and audiences praised Hauer-King’s rendition, noting that he "nails" the emotional weight of the song. By articulating Eric’s internal life, the song transforms him from a passive object of rescue into an active participant in his own destiny, creating a character who is just as adventurous and yearning for freedom as Ariel.
A New Depth: Eric's Backstory and the Chemistry with Ariel
The creative team, including screenwriter David Magee, went further than just adding a song; they fundamentally altered Eric’s backstory to provide him with a richer, more nuanced personality. In the live-action narrative, Prince Eric is revealed to be an adopted prince, a detail that explains his restless spirit and his desire to prove himself beyond his royal title.
This new backstory makes Eric’s connection with Ariel immediately more profound. Both characters feel a sense of displacement—Ariel from the human world, and Eric from his adopted kingdom—and both are driven by an insatiable curiosity about the unknown. Director Rob Marshall emphasized that this updated character development was essential to make the central romance believable for a modern audience.
The Impact of Character Parallels
The film deliberately draws parallels between the two leads:
- Ariel’s Desire: To be "up where the people are."
- Eric’s Desire: To be "out where the wild uncharted waters" are.
This mutual yearning for a life beyond their respective kingdoms is a powerful foundation for their relationship. When Eric meets the mute Ariel, he doesn't just see a beautiful woman; he recognizes a kindred spirit, a fellow explorer who shares his passion for the world outside the palace walls. The chemistry between Jonah Hauer-King and Halle Bailey was widely praised for capturing this genuine connection, making the film a true duet of two souls searching for their place.
The Ensemble of Excellence
The success of Eric's character is also due to the strong ensemble cast that created a rich world around him. This includes the formidable King Triton (Javier Bardem), the hilarious Sebastian (Daveed Diggs), the eccentric Scuttle (Awkwafina), the worrisome Flounder (Jacob Tremblay), and the perfectly villainous Ursula (Melissa McCarthy). The interactions with these characters further fleshed out Eric’s world and his responsibilities.
Ultimately, the live-action The Little Mermaid succeeded in its goal to transform Prince Eric. By giving Jonah Hauer-King a compelling backstory, a personal struggle, and a memorable solo song like "Wild Uncharted Waters," the film ensured that the prince was no longer a mere prize for the princess, but a fully realized hero on his own quest for a meaningful life.
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