The Little Mermaid, the classic fairy tale written by Hans Christian Andersen, will be made into a live-action movie by Universal Studios. To the excitement of many of her fans, Sofia Coppola has been chosen to direct the film. Directing the classic fairy tale will be a complete change from the genre that made her popular.

Coppola is known for her adult-themed films that tackle topics on adultery, romance, parenthood and death. Caroline Thompson, who will write the script, has started working with Kelly Marcel and Abi Morgan on their previous drafts. With four brilliant female filmmakers in charge of handling The Little Mermaid, it is expected that the movie will present something exciting and novel. The movie's plot is still being kept a secret, although we can expect that it will center on the romance between a mermaid and a human being.

The Little Mermaid gained much popularity when it was made into a Disney movie in 1989. This time there will be no red-headed beauty and singing crabs because Coppola wants to keep the 1837 original story. In the original story, the prince got married to another woman which prompted the Little Mermaid to kill herself, whereas the Disney version shows the conversion of the Little Mermaid into a human being and ended up marrying the prince.

The live-action movie Little Mermaid is produced by Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner under Working Title Production Company and to be distributed by Universal Studios. There were rumors that Emma Watson will play Ariel, the lead role. Coppola and Watson have worked together before and held each other in high esteem. Therefore, the possibility of having Watson in The Little Mermaid may come true.

Universal has not confirmed any released date for the movie at this time. With Coppola's objective of presenting the original story, movie buffs will see the real Andersen's version of the famous classic fairy tale.