There are certain films from our childhood that live in the recesses of our minds. They're culty, heart-warming and often, a little bit silly. But if there's a film that makes us think of our favourite summer holiday and the first time you tried lip gloss – Aquamarine is it. The 2006 cult classic convinced an entire generation of kids that mermaids were real, friendship could fix almost anything, and that turquoise hair streaks were the height of fashion.
And with Hollywood currently rebooting and adapting everything from teen comedies to fantasy epics, it feels apt that Aquamarine is getting a TV show reboot. But before the casting directors get any ideas, we've done the hard work for them. From television's brightest newcomers to internet favourites with impeccable comic timing, here's who we'd cast to spend one magical summer searching for love, dodging mean girls and reminding us why this delightfully earnest film still has such a hold on us.
1. Mckenna Grace
as Aquamarine
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Mckenna Grace has been having quite the year – between The Hunger Games prequels and Scooby-Doo adaptation, we think it's only fitting that she put those lush blonde locks to good use as our titular mermaid. Grace has all the charisma and wide-eyed sincerity that Sara Paxton originally brought to the role, with more than enough acting chops to make Aquamarine feel entirely her own. And who could forget that adorable interview clip where Grace was asked her favourite colour, only to reply, "My favourite colour is rainbow purple aquamarine." Foreshadowing? We think so.
2. Iris Apatow
as Claire Brown
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It's only right that we cast a nepo baby for a nepo baby. While Emma Roberts' original Claire Brown remains iconic, Iris Apatow has that same effortlessly sweet, slightly awkward energy that made the character so loveable. She's charming without trying too hard, funny without ever forcing the joke, and feels exactly like the kind of best friend you'd want by your side during a summer spent helping a mermaid find true love.
3. Sara Bock
as Hailey Rogers
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Fresh off Severance season 2, Bock has already proven she can hold her own opposite some of television's best. Hailey might be a far cry from Miss Huang, but we'd love to see Bock flex her comedic muscles as Claire's sarcastic, fiercely loyal younger sister. Bonus trivia for the real Aquamarine fans: Bock's Severance co-star Dichen Lachman actually appeared in the original film as Beth, one of Cecilia's loyal mean-girl sidekicks. Everything comes full circle.
4. Sofia Wylie
as Marjorie
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Every great coming-of-age film needs the snooty mean girl, and while that couldn't be further from the sweetheart that is Sofia Wylie, we've been itching to see her play the antagonist. We can already see her snobby take on the iconic Tamsin Sursock's original character.
5. Nikki Rodriguez
as Cecilia Banks
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Every teen classic lives or dies by its villain, and Nikki Rodriguez has exactly the confidence and charisma to make Cecilia deliciously unbearable. She knows how to play characters with just enough charm to make their sharp edges even more entertaining, and we'd love to see her lean all the way into early-2000s mean-girl camp post–My Life with the Walter Boys. Someone has to roll their eyes dramatically, steal all the best bikinis, and make Aquamarine's quest for love just a little more complicated.
6. Owen Cooper
as Raymond
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Owen Cooper has the acting chops of someone twice his age – that's for certain – but we think he might be itching for a performance that's... a little lighter, you know? And what better departure from classic novels and portraying a murderous child than to be the romantic lead in a mermaid rom-com? If you had any doubts, please cast your eyes upon this gorgeous photo of Cooper and Grace at the Critics Choice Awards earlier this year. Simply adorable.
6. Emma Roberts
as anyone, really.
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Roberts has reportedly been sent the script for the reboot, telling People Magazine, “I didn’t think I would have such an emotional reaction to it, but I definitely got a little teary-eyed." Roberts is set to guest star in and executive produce the upcoming Disney+ series.
