Channing Tatum, Jillian Bell to Star in ‘Splash’ Remake for Disney

Disney is in early discussions with Brian Grazer and Ron Howard’s Imagine Entertainment about rebooting “Splash,” one of the production banner’s early classics. Channing Tatum and Jillian Bell are attached to star in the remake written by Maria Lewis-Ryan.

The original film follows a young man (played by Tom Hanks) who reunites with a mermaid (Daryl Hannah) who saved him from drowning as a boy. He falls in love with her, not knowing who/what she is. In this version, Tatum will actually play the mermaid who saves Bell as a girl only to reunite with her years later.

The 1984 romantic comedy marked the first major hit for Grazer and Howard, and essentially led to the launch of their Imagine Entertainment. Grazer and Howard will return to produce this reimagining along with Free Association’s Tatum, Reid Carolin, and Peter Kieran. Imagine’s Anna Culp will be the executive producer.

Tatum just wrapped production on “Kingsman: The Golden Circle” and is about to start filming on “Logan Lucky.” He is repped by UTA and Management 360.

Bell can be seen next in DreamWorks’ “Office Christmas Party.” She is repped by UTA and 3 Arts Entertainment.

The news was first reported by Deadline Hollywood.