Cailee Spaeny is on track to become one of the standout actresses of her generation, if she isn’t already. With 17 credits showcasing a wide range of stories and characters, she has firmly established her presence in Hollywood, and her influence is only set to grow.
Her role as the lead in “Alien: Romulus” demonstrated her ability to shoulder the weight of an iconic franchise. As the star mentioned, her character is not a replica of Sigourney Weaver’s Ripley, but rather Spaeny’s own unique take on this strong archetype—and she truly excelled.
In a recent interview, the performer reflected on her past roles and those that almost were. She revealed that she nearly starred in a project that would have stirred significant controversy.
Cailee Spaeny talks about her near-casting in Sofia Coppola’s ‘The Little Mermaid’
While promoting “Alien: Romulus,” Cailee Spaeny spoke with Empire and revealed that, before “Priscilla,” she had a callback for a Sofia Coppola project that was unrelated to Elvis Presley. Instead, it was an adaptation of “The Little Mermaid”!
Spaeny shared that the title aimed to bring Hans Christian Andersen’s original, darker tale to the screen, rather than the familiar, lighter version. She submitted a tape of herself portraying a mermaid without dialogue, to match Coppola’s avant-garde vision for the film.
Fans of Coppola were dismayed when the project was canceled, particularly due to the circumstances that led to the decision. In a 2023 interview with Rolling Stone, Coppola revealed that she withdrew from the project after a conversation with Universal producers, one of whom asked, “What will attract the male audience of 35 years old?” This question left her speechless and ultimately led to her decision to abandon the production
For those curious about what might have been, a two-minute teaser featuring Anna Sophia Robb and Evan Peters as Ariel and Eric is available on YouTube. The music in this trailer suggests the Sofia Coppola take on the tale would have been quite spectacular!