Sofia Coppola is set to direct Universal’s adaptation of The Little Mermaid , a new, live-action version of Hans Christian Anderson’s classic fairytale.
Joe Wright had previously been circling the project, but given his involvement with Warner’s upcoming Pan , it seems as though his fairytale slate is currently full up.
Tim Burton favourite Caroline Thompson is on board to script the film, with the likes of Edward Scissorhands , Corpse Bride and The Nightmare Before Christmas suggesting she’s the perfect match for the material.
She takes over from previous screenwriter Abi Morgan, whose first draft reportedly preserved the story’s original ending, in which the mermaid sacrifices herself for love.
Given her previous, we wouldn’t be surprised to see Thompson take the story the same way. Meanwhile, Deadline suggests that Universal plans to move quickly on this one, so expect a release date and casting to be confirmed in due course.
