Sofia Coppola is likely headed under the sea to direct an upcoming live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid, Deadline reports. Coppola is reportedly still negotiating a deal with Universal Pictures and Working Title, but with the studios hoping to move things along quickly, it looks as if the deal will go through.
This new adaptation of the Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale is being rewritten by Caroline Thompson, who penned Edward Scissorhands, The Nightmare Before Christmas and Corpse Bride. The script has also been worked on by Kelly Marcel (Fifty Shades of Grey, Saving Mr. Banks) and Abi Morgan (Shame).
Where are all the female filmmakers?
A Little Mermaid adaptation would mark a significant departure for Coppola, who has become one of Hollywoods top directors thanks to heavier, less kid-friendly films like Lost in Translation, Somewhere and The Virgin Suicides. However, her most recent film2013sThe Bling Ringdid find the director tackling celebrity obsession with a slightly lighter tone, with our own Peter Travers calling the movie often very funny, but never cruel.