If you keep up with the gossip columns, you’ll know that Kick-Ass star Chloë Grace Moretz recently broke up with boyfriend Brooklyn Beckham. As a result, there’s a lot of speculation that that has something to do with her decision to drop out of every single one of the upcoming movies she was signed up to star in.
Whether or not that’s the case is unclear, but the actress has issued a statement offering her take on the situation. What this means though is that the Neighbours 2: Sorority Rising and The Fifth Wave star will no longer take on the title role in Universal’s live-action reimagining of The Little Mermaid, which is by far her highest profile upcoming project.
“I pulled the plug on all my movies because I want to reassess who I am and find myself within my roles again. I’m realizing that I can slow down. It’s not particularly time off. I’m just becoming more picky and particular about what roles I’m choosing. I think as an actor you have a huge opportunity to find yourself through the roles that you choose. I think it’s my time, right now in my life, to figure out who I am and what I am and what I want and what this industry means.”
It’s hard to find fault with that explanation, but Universal – and a lot of fans – are sure to be disappointed by what this means for The Little Mermaid. The actress has had mixed fortunes since being pegged as the next big thing following impressive performances in Kick-Ass and Let Me In, so whether this break will help or hinder her career remains to be seen.
What we do know is that The Little Mermaid is going to now have to find a new leading lady just months after original director Sofia Coppola decided to move on from the project.