Sofia Coppola is currently in negotiations to direct a live action version of the classic Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, The Little Mermaid. Surprisingly, this will not be a Disney production. Instead, it will be released by Universal Studios.
Caroline Thompson, best known for her work on Edward Scissorhands, The Addams Family and Corpse Bride, is rewriting the script, and she would seem to have the unique sensibility to take on such an intriguing project. Her version is said to be similar to the Disney original, wherein Ariel strikes a bargain in order to experience life on land as a human.
While not much has been revealed with regards to which direction they plan to head in just yet, it will be intriguing to see what tone Coppola and Thompson establish for the film. Thompson’s stories tend to take on an almost Gothic quality, and it would not be surprising to see a comparable style employed here.
Coppola strikes me as an odd choice for the material, considering her work usually centers on more adult themes. However, she is also the mother of two children (ages 7 and 3), so it’s entirely possible that she just wanted to create a film that they can enjoy. Whatever the case may be, I’m sure that many are eager to see what she can bring to this classic story.
Production is expected to move quickly on The Little Mermaid, so we should have more updates for you in the near future. Stay tuned!
