Bad news to all you fans of the talented Sofia Coppola.  She’s called off her plans to direct the live-action version of The Little Mermaid. Keeping a low-profile about the decision, she only said that it was about “creative differences.” There are, however, rumors that it was specifically due to the fact that Coppola wanted to cast Maya Thurman-Hawke (yes, daughter of Uma and Ethan) for the lead role while the studio didn’t want to take a big risk in casting a fresh face.

Upon the announcement of her joining the project last March, critics and movie fans were excited—the movie is set to follow the dark, macabre version of Hans Christian Andersen, an aesthetic Sofia is no stranger to given her work in The Virgin Suicides.

Despite this, the project will still be pursued by Universal Studios with Caroline Thompson (Corpse Bride, Edward Scissorhands) as the scriptwriter. With a major change in the production line-up, however, much is left to speculate on who will take over the director’s chair.

Photo courtesy of W Magazine