Following Disney's announcement that singer Halle Bailey has been cast as the titular role in the upcoming live-action reboot of The Little Mermaid, the internet became convinced that Halle Berry was, in fact, the new Ariel.
"I can't be the only person who saw [the] news that "Halle Bailey is The Little Mermaid" and got very confused because my mind misspelled her last name to make it read "Halle Berry is The Little Mermaid," right?" US entertainment reporter Germain Lussier tweeted on Thursday.
A number of people took to Twitter to express their confusion following the casting announcement on Wednesday.
"Ya'll really had me thinking Halle Berry got cast to play Ariel, arguing she has the vocal range for the part... had me sitting here wondering how I missed out on a Halle Berry album," tweeted one person.
"Halle Berry is trending because none of us can read," one user joked.
"I mean, I know the woman doesn't age but surely she cannot play a 16-year-old?" another person said.
Halle Berry has publicly expressed her support for her fellow Halle despite the confusion: "In case you needed a reminder... Halles get it DONE," she tweeted.
Bailey, 19, is half of the Beyoncé-endorsed R&B duo Chloe x Halle. She has called the casting "a dream come true".
The live-action reboot of the 1989 Disney classic will be directed by Rob Marshall, known for his work on Chicago and the fourth instalment of Pirates of the Carribean. John DeLuca and Marc Platt are set to produce, with Alan Menken returning as the film's composer.
"Halle possesses that rare combination of spirit, heart, youth, innocence and substance - plus a glorious singing voice - all intrinsic qualities necessary to play this iconic role," Marshall said in a statement during Wednesday's casting announcement.
Melissa McCarthy is said to be considering the part of Ursula.
The casting has drawn criticism, with some saying Bailey's heritage does not match the Danish origin of the original tale.
Production of The Little Mermaid is expected to start in early 2020.
Newshub.
