Disney’s definitely moving forward on the Splash remake but they are apparently taking their cue from Ghostbusters and switching up the sex of the lead characters. In the original 1984 romantic comedy starring Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah it was Hannah who played the fish out of water with Hanks playing the man who falls for the mermaid who saved his life 20 years earlier. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Channing Tatum will take over the role of the mermaid – now a merman – while his 22 Jump Street co-star Jillian Bell will play the role originated by Hanks.
The original Splash was directed by Ron Howard and produced by Brian Grazer, and both Howard and Grazer are on board the remake as producers. There’s no word yet on a director for the remake which has Marja-Lewis Ryan as screenwriter. 1984’s Splash made $69 million domestically during its theatrical run. In addition to Hanks and Hannah, the cast included Eugene Levy, John Candy, and Dody Goodman.
Bell’s additional credits include Fist Fight, Office Christmas Party, Workaholics, The Night Before, Goosebumps, Eastbound & Down, and Partners. Tatum is currently working on the Kingsman sequel, Kingsman: The Golden Circle, with Colin Firth, Julianne Moore, and Taron Egerton.
