Sofia Coppola Leaves Live-Action 'The Little Mermaid'

Sofia Coppola leaves Disney's latest live-action remake.

Not Available Lead
Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

Not Available Lead

And just like that another director has parted ways with their project. Though not as dramatic, or shrouded in mystery, as Josh Trank leaving the Star Wars spinoff—Sofia Coppola’s departure from the live-action The Little Mermaid is still worth talking about. 

Coppola, who’s directing the highly anticipated Bill Murray Christmas special for Netflix, was set to direct the live-action Disney film, primed to join box office success Cinderella and the upcoming Emma Watson starring Beauty and the Beast. Coppola exits over “creative differences,” which according to insiders came down to her actress choice to play Ariel. She wanted a fresh face in Maya Thurman Hawke, Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman’s daughter, while Universal and Working Title (the studios attached to the project) wanted someone else.

The studios plan to continue with the project.

[via Variety]

Latest in Pop Culture