'13 Reasons Why' 's Christian Navarro Slams Disney for Casting 'the White Guy' in 'The' 'Little Mermaid'

Disney has found its prince — andChristian Navarrois not happy about it.

Shortly after it was announced thatJonah Hauer-Kinghad landed the role ofAriel’s love interest, Prince Eric, in the upcoming live-action retelling ofTheLittle Mermaid, Navarro, 28, shared his thoughts about the casting decision on social media.

In two since-deleted posts on Instagram and Twitter, the13 Reasons Whystar — who was also reportedly in the running for the role of Prince Eric — slammed Disney for its alleged lack of diversity.

Paul Best/Getty Images; Andrew Toth/Getty Images

“Just came back to say; after months of seeing every person of color they could think of for the role of Prince Eric, @DisneyStudios somehow still cast a white guy,” he tweeted. “I guess diversity is just a word. And THATS Hollywood.”

“One brown person is enough, two brown leads is unthinkable,” he added, referencing the African-American actress and singerHalle Bailey,who is set to star opposite Hauer-King as Ariel.

Reps for Navarro, Hauer-King, and Disney did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

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Jonah Hauer-King and Prince Eric.Ernesto Distefano/Getty; Disney

Hauer-King’s casting was made official earlier this week. The British actor, 24, is the only other major cast member besides Bailey to be confirmed thus far.

Others reported to have signed on or be in talks for the Rob Marshall-directed film areMelissa McCarthyas Ursula,Javier Bardemas King Triton,Jacob Tremblayas Flounder,Daveed Diggsas Sebastian andAwkwafinaas Scuttle.

In addition to Navarro,Harry Styleswas also being considered to play Prince Eric. But even though the formerOne Directionmember “is a fan of the project,” a source close to the film told PEOPLE in August that Styles, 25, “respectfully declined the offer.”

“I want to put music outand focus on that for a while. But everyone involved in it was amazing, so I think it’s going to be great,” Styles toldThe Facemagazinein September, sharing that a possible role for him “was discussed” but never came to fruition.

“I’ll enjoy watching it, I’m sure,” the singer added.

The casting of Bailey, 19, as Ariel triggered racist backlash when it was announced. Some Internet users even started a petition titled #NotMyAriel to have Disney recast the character with a white actress resembling the red-headed underwater princess from the 1989 animated film.

“No matter what we look like on the outside, no matter our race, our nation, the color of our skin, our dialect… we really need to tell the story,”Benson said at Florida Supercon.

“Yes. The original author ofThe Little Mermaidwas Danish. Ariel…is a mermaid. She lives in an underwater kingdom in international waters and can legit swim wherever she wants (even though that often upsets King Triton, absolute zaddy),” Freeformadded in a post on Instagram. “But for the sake of argument, let’s say that Ariel, too, is Danish.”

“Danish mermaids can be black because Danish people can be black,” the letter continued. “Ariel can sneak up to the surface at any time with her pals Scuttle and the ahem Jamaican crab Sebastian (sorry, Flounder!) and keep that bronze base tight. Black Danish people, and this mer-folk, can also genetically (!!!) have red hair.”

source: people.com