Recently fans of the Harry Potter films began to flutter when rumors surfaced about Emma Watson (aka Hermione) portraying Ariel in a live-action remake of Disney’s The Little Mermaid.

According to the Examiner, online talk circulated at the end of February about Watson taking on several roles as Disney princesses: Belle in Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, and Ariel.

Some saw her leaving a Los Angeles aquatic facility and assumed she was being trained in SCUBA and and synchronized swimming for the classic role of the Disney mermaid.

There was even talk of Danielle Radcliffe (aka Harry Potter) stepping in to the role of Prince Eric.

Emma Watson confirmed to be playing Ariel in The Little Mermaid and who's her prince? DANIEL RADCLIFFE! Who's stoked?!

— Stage Right Secrets (@StageRights) February 27, 2014

Buzz continued when a movie poster, complete with a red-haired Watson, surfaced.

The Little Mermaid the movie with Emma Watson as Ariel. How do you guys feel about this casting?! pic.twitter.com/GthOy77J5B

— Carlene K (@CarleneKMakeup) February 26, 2014

However, the excitement was squashed last week when the rumor was revealed to be a hoax, and a dated one at that.

It started on April 1, 2013 when a Harry Potter fansite, Mugglenet, created the story as an April Fool’s joke.

The full hoax report read, “Emma Watson will certainly be living the princess lifestyle this year, after reports have linked her to different projects where she will portray classic Disney princesses Belle from ‘Beauty and the Beast’ as well as the title role in ‘Cinderella’ (although Emma has since turned down that role). Completing the trio is Ariel, from ‘The Little Mermaid,’ originally released as an animated feature in 1989.”

It is unclear why the rumor resurfaced. Perhaps it has to do with reports that Watson will indeed be playing Belle in Guillermo del Toro’s Beauty and the Beast.

According to MTV News, Guillermo del Toro is close to casting a monstrous co-star for Watson.

“We are weeks away from getting who plays the Beast,” del Toro said. “We’re talking to the makeup effects guys who are going to render the Beast. We’re going to do a solid, fantastic makeup job. We’re going to fuse digital and makeup in a way that I think is quite cutting edge.”

23-year old Watson was most recently seen at the 2014 Academy Awards in Los Angeles. She will also be seen with Russell Crowe in the upcoming film, Noah, where she will portray Noah’s adopted daughter, Ila.

Image via Wikimedia Commons