Award-winning director Sofia Coppola recently bowed out as director of "The Little Mermaid" live action movie. Before this, the director had her eye on Maya Thurman Hawke, 16, the pretty daughter of Hollywood royals Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman for the lead role of Ariel.
Coppola would have been part of a formidable creative team that includes screenwriter Caroline Thompson, whose film credits include "Edward Scissorhands." The director is known for the Oscar award-winning "Lost in Translation," "The Bling Ring," and "Somewhere," among others.
The live action movie version of the animated film based on Hans Christian Andersen's classic tale has been in the drawing board for some time now. Universal has spent time scouting around for the right actress to play Ariel, so movie insiders deduced that this was the main point of contention that led to the partnership split, Digital Spy reported.
It appears like Coppola's creative ideas clashed with that of Universal, Variety noted. Almost 17, Maya is a stunning lady who evidently got her famous parents' looks. The aspiring actress has yet to prove her acting mettle though.
Maya has been spotted singing in a New York café a few years back, and has graced several Hollywood functions. At the recent CFDA Fashion Awards, she made heads turn dressed in an alluring sheer gown designed by Zac Posen.
Now that Coppola is not at the directorial helm of "The Little Mermaid" live action flick, fans are wondering whether producers will reconsider casting Hawke and Thurman's daughter. Despite the departure of the 44-year-old daughter of Francis Ford Coppola, producers of "The Little Mermaid" live action flick will continue with the project.