Sofia Coppola has dropped out of the live-action The Little Mermaid project as its captain due to “creative differences.” To put it in real terms, the clash was over who would get the titled role. Coppola had set her eyes on Maya Thurman Hawke, Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman’s daughter, but the producers were “wary” about the choice…
Producers of Universal and Working Title are pushing on without Coppola with a recent version of the script written by Caroline Thompson (Edward Scissorhands, Nightmare Before Christmas and Corpse Bride). It seems that the new version of The Little Mermaid will be based on the original Hans Christian Anderson story – a much darker and mature adaptation than Disney’s. But Universal and Working Title are definitely following the “let’s update animated classics” trend.
Nothing to worry about, though. Coppola is obviously super busy with Fairyland and recently finished A Very Murray Christmas, starring Bill Murray. Although it’s sad that we won’t see Coppola’s vision on the adventurous mermaid, we love that she exited on her own terms. Bow down.