Sofia Coppola is in negotiations to direct a live-action take on “The Little Mermaid” for Universal and Working Title, an individual familiar with the project has told TheWrap.
Coppola may strike fans of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairy tale as an odd match for the material given the adult themes of her previous films, but the pairing may be inspired.
Also read: Sofia Coppola: I Want You to Think, Not Just Bombard You
Coppola will be working off a script by Caroline Thompson (“Edward Scissorhands”), who is working off past drafts by Kelly Marcel (“Saving Mr. Banks”) and Abi Morgan (“Shame”). That’s a quartet of some very talented female filmmakers who no doubt hatched an exciting take on the timeless tale.
Plot details of the new film are being kept under wraps, though it is expected to feature a mermaid who falls in love with a land-dweller.
Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner will produce for Working Title.
Coppola, who previously directed “The Bling Ring” and “Somewhere,” is repped by ICM Partners.
The news was first reported by Deadline.