Moretz, now 18, got her film breakthrough as a 7 year-old child actor in the 2005 remake of The Amityville Horror. In addition to significant roles in Kick-Ass and its sequel, she has appeared in a variety of films, including 2013’s Carrie, Tim Burton’s Dark Shadows, If I Stay, The Equalizer, and Martin Scorsese’s Hugo.
Considering Moretz’ extensive experience in drama and horror (and the fact that Universal, rather than Disney, picked up the film), Moretz’ casting as the titular character may hint that this upcoming reinterpretation is more in line with the original, darker tale than Disney’s 1989 animated feature film.
“[The films that I’ve worked on] have pretty heavy subjects,” explained Moretz to Time last year in an interview promoting the romantic drama If I Stay. “Acting for me is not just being happy-go-lucky. That’s my real life. Acting for me is doing the opposite of who I am.”
Other upcoming roles for Moretz include Shane Carruth’s third film The Modern Ocean, Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising, and biographical drama Brain on Fire.
Liza Chasin and Amelia Granger will executive produce alongside Working Title producers Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner. After Sofia Coppola left the project because of “creative differences,” the producers haven’t yet announced a new director.
The Little Mermaid’s release date hasn’t been announced yet.
