The new little mermaid played by Chloe Grace Moretz will be blonde, and fans are not happy. Photo / Getty
All you know and love about The Little Mermaid is being binned in a new live-action remake of the beloved children's tale.
Disney's 1989 portrayal of Ariel with lush bright red locks is a far cry from the character to be played by Chloe Grace Moretz.
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight the actress delivered the news she won't be dyeing her blonde hair, and broke many hearts in the process.
Fans tweeted their horror at the thought of her character without the distinctive feature.
The adaptation is based on Hans Christian Anderson's 1837 fairy tale, rather than Disney's take.
Illustrations in the original book show the mermaid with a golden mane.
"I'll actually have blonde hair," Moretz revealed.
Screenwriter Richard Curtis, who also penned Love Actually and Notting Hill, is still working on the script.
The Universal production was originally to be directed by Sofia Coppola but she stepped away from the project because of creative differences.
A director has not yet been appointed to the project, but Moretz said it will be a fresh take on the theme.
"[It's] a modern, revisionist tale, progressive for young women in this day and age."
- nzherald.co.nz
The Australian site cited a 'heightened threat level' as the issue.