Cailee Spaeny revealed that her first collaboration with Sofia Coppola was an eventually scrapped version of The Little Mermaid. Spaeny mentioned that her first-ever callback was through Coppola for this project. Unfortunately, the movie never came to fruition, leaving Spaeny disappointed. Despite this setback, Spaeny expressed admiration for Coppola’s unique and avant-garde approach to filmmaking.
In 2017, Spaeny had another encounter with Coppola when she auditioned for The Beguiled, a period drama starring Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst, Colin Farrell, and Elle Fanning. Unfortunately, Spaeny did not land a role in the film, but she was deeply affected by Coppola’s work. As a young girl from the Bible Belt, Spaeny found Coppola’s films to be liberating and empowering, particularly in their depiction of young women.
Despite the initial disappointments, Spaeny eventually landed her breakout role as Priscilla Presley in a film set to be released in 2023. This opportunity came after Coppola reached out to Spaeny and showed her photos of Priscilla Presley on her iPad. Spaeny was thrilled to portray such an iconic figure and felt honored to work with Coppola. This role marked a significant turning point in Spaeny’s career and opened up new opportunities for her in Hollywood.
Spaeny’s experience working with Sofia Coppola was transformative. While filming Civil War alongside Kirsten Dunst, who is a frequent collaborator of Coppola, Spaeny received advice on how to adapt to Coppola’s directing style. Dunst reassured Spaeny that working with Coppola would be a stark contrast to their previous project, with a more relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. Spaeny found Dunst’s guidance helpful and appreciated the opportunity to work with such talented and experienced professionals.
In 2014, Coppola was involved in developing a live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid with Universal and Working Title. Unlike the light-hearted Disney version, Coppola’s take on the classic fairy tale was expected to be much darker and more mature. However, the project faced challenges, with a studio executive questioning its appeal to older male audiences. Ultimately, the film did not move forward, leaving Coppola disappointed and uncertain about its future.
Cailee Spaeny’s journey from a missed opportunity on The Little Mermaid to landing the role of Priscilla Presley demonstrates the unpredictable nature of Hollywood. Through her collaborations with Sofia Coppola, Spaeny was able to grow as an actress and showcase her talent on a larger stage. Despite setbacks and challenges along the way, Spaeny remained resilient and committed to her craft, eventually reaping the rewards of her dedication and hard work.
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