Sophia Coppola, one of the most acclaimed and iconic filmmakers of our time, recently opened up about a disturbing encounter she had in a boardroom while developing Disney’s live-action remake of “The Little Mermaid.” In an interview with Rolling Stone, she revealed that an executive asked her what could be done to appeal to 35-year-old men, ultimately leading her to walk away from the film entirely.
The situation occurred during the early stages of development for the beloved fairytale remake, when Coppola was discussing how to approach the story. She explains, “I was in a boardroom and some development guy said, ‘What’s gonna get the 35-year-old man in the audience?’ And I just didn’t know what to say.” It was clear to Coppola that this executive was more concerned with appealing to older men than staying true to the original story.
Coppola’s vision for the film was to stay closer to the darker, original story by Hans Christian Anderson, rather than the bright and colorful Disney version. However, it seems that this did not align with the interests of the studio and they clashed over budget and creative differences. But it was this comment from the executive that was the final straw for Coppola. She recalls, “I just was not in my element…I felt a lot like the character in the story, trying to do something out of my element.”
Unfortunately, this is not the first time Coppola has faced uncomfortable situations in Hollywood. She also revealed that she turned down the opportunity to direct the final “Twilight” film because she couldn’t stomach the concept. She explains, “I thought the whole imprinting-werewolf thing was weird…The baby. Too weird!” It’s disheartening to know that this kind of disturbing content was even being considered for a movie franchise aimed at young adults.
Coppola’s experience sheds light on the dark side of Hollywood, where executives prioritize appealing to male audiences, even at the cost of changing the story and sexualizing children’s movies. It’s a sad reality that filmmakers like Coppola are forced to navigate and it’s time for the industry to address these issues and make changes.
if sophia coppola directed twilight breaking dawn part 2 i would be a completely different person today https://t.co/1eQOyDTmqn
— cas wlw superbowl era (@casele_c) October 24, 2023
It’s important to note that this is not an isolated incident in Hollywood. In recent years, there have been numerous allegations and scandals involving sexualizing young actors and producers taking advantage of their power to manipulate their female coworkers. It’s time for these predators to be held accountable and for the industry to create a safer and more respectful working environment for all.
In the end, it’s clear that Sophia Coppola made the right decision in walking away from “The Little Mermaid” remake. She refused to compromise her vision and values just to appeal to a certain demographic. In doing so, she has shed light on a disturbing aspect of Hollywood that needs to be addressed and changed.