Chinese singer and actor Zhang Yixing performs during his concert in Shanghai on Saturday. Photo: IC

Disney has been waxing nostalgic lately with numerous live-action adaptation of its animated classics such as Dumbo, Aladdin and the Lion King. When news that US singer/actress Halle Bailey had been chosen to play the role of Ariel in the Little Mermaid, netizens began to come up with ideas for who would be the best choice to play her love interest Prince Eric.

To see which Chinese star had the most support the Global Times on July 4 published a poll on twitter asking people to vote for their favorite among Zhang Yixing, Lu Han, Kris Wu and Yi Yangqianxi.

As of Thursday afternoon, more than 22,000 netizens had cast their vote. Zhang won by a clear margin with 64 percent of votes, followed by Lu (17 percent), Wu (15 percent) and Yi (4 percent).

The three top candidates used to be members of South Korean entertainment company SM's Chinese boy band subgroup EXO-M before Lu and Wu withdrew from the group. Zhang has a huge following in China. Tickets for his concerts often sell out in seconds.

The 18-year-old singer/actor Yi is a member of Chinese boy band TFBoys. The young star is currently starring in the popular summer series The Longest Day in Chang'an.

Interestingly, comments on the poll saw a huge push for Huang Guanheng, better known as Hendery, as the ideal choice for Prince Eric. The 19 year-old member of Chinese boy band WayV, born in Macao, attracted a large following with his good looks and grace while a trainee with SM, earning him the nickname "Disney Prince".

Fan voting may not be able to affect Disney's casting choices, but the eagerness to see an Asian prince on screen is strong in China.