Why An Unmade Live-Action Little Mermaid Lost A Major Director
Sofia Coppola explains why she left Universal’s unmade live-action film The Little Mermaid. Disney’s live-action remake of the 1989 animated film, based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, directed by Rob Marshall. The film was released in theaters in May to mixed reviews and was considered a box office disappointment after failing to break even. However, years ago, another live-action Little Mermaid movie was in development at Universal with Coppola in talks to direct the film. In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Coppola explained why she left Universal’s unmade live-action film, The Little Mermaid. The acclaimed director recalled hitting “a breaking point” when a Universal executive wanted the movie to appeal to older men. Read her Coppola’s full comments below: Yes, there was [a breaking point]. I was in a boardroom and some development guy said, “What’s gonna get the 35-year-old man in the audience?” And I just didn’t know what to say. I just was not in my element. I feel like I was naive, and then I felt a lot like the character in the story, trying to do something out of my element, and it was a funny parallel of the story for me.
What Sofia Coppola’s Live-Action Little Mermaid Would Have Looked Like

In his own words, Coppola’s live-action The Little Mermaid “is not the Disney version.” Instead, it is a closer adaptation of Andersen’s original fairy tale in the sense that it is “much darker”. Coppola also intended to film The Little Mermaid underwater, similar to what James Cameron later did with Avatar: The Way of Water. However, underwater photography has difficult technical challenges and is very expensive. Coppola clashed with Universal over the funding required for underwater filming, which was another reason she left the project. With films like Somewhere, Lost in Translation, and Marie Antoinette, Coppola developed a strong visual style and atmosphere defined by a dreamy, ethereal quality. His ambitious plans for The Little Mermaid are sure to produce stunning underwater photos. In addition to her strong visual abilities, Coppola is also known for her in-depth character studies, so her version of The Little Mermaid will likely delve into the complexities of Ariel’s desire for a new world. other world and the sacrifices she makes for that love. Although her film The Little Mermaid was never made, Coppola’s career continued with the new film Priscilla.