Remember “The Little Mermaid“? The animated movie about a mermaid princess who made a deal with Ursula in order to meet a human prince on land?
Few months after Sofia Coppola dropped out of the director’s chair, Variety reported that Rebecca Thomas is in talks to helm Universal Pictures‘ live-action adaptation of the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, “The Little Mermaid”.
First published in 1837, “The Little Mermaid” centres on a young mermaid who gives up her life in the sea for a human prince. The Hans Christian Andersen story has been adapted countless times for the silver screen and the stage (including Disney’s version).
Earlier in November, it was confirmed that Chloe Grace Moretz is attached to star in the live-action adaptation of “The Little Mermaid”. Sources told Variety that she had been the studios’ top choice for the role while Coppola was still attached to direct the fairy tale film.
However, Coppola was not able to agree with the studios’ choice as she wanted to cast Maya Thurman-Hawke instead. This led her to leave the director’s chair as the studios believe a bigger name can attract more audiences to watch the film.
Thomas made her feature directing debut with 2012’s “Electrick Children”, an indie drama about Rachel (played by Julia Garner), a teenage girl who was born and raised in her Mormon community, believes that she has been inpregnated by listening to music. The film received a great number of good reviews on the festival circuit.
She is currently attached to direct Paramount‘s live-action adaptation of John Green’s “Looking for Alaska“. However, it is still not clear whether “The Little Mermaid” or “Looking for Alaska” will begin filming first, as the John Green adaptation is still searching for its lead.
“The Little Mermaid” will be produced by Eric Fellner and Tim Bevan, while Amelia Granger and Liza Chasin will serve as executive producers. Universal executives’ Chloe Yellin and Erik Baiers will oversee the project.
