Cailee Spaeny recently reflected on her experience auditioning for Sofia Coppola’s abandoned version of “The Little Mermaid,” and how those early auditions shaped her career. Spaeny, who is now well-known for her role in Coppola’s 2023 film “Priscilla,” shared some insights into her early work with the acclaimed director.
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Early Auditions and Strange Experiences Cailee Spaeny
On Empire, Spaeny described her first substantial encounter with Sofia Coppola in detail. But it was for a movie that was never made—Coppola’s “The Little Mermaid “Spaeny called the audition peculiar, saying that she sent a director self-tape in which she was frolicking as a mermaid but with no words. One of the first callbacks she had with Coppola, it was an example of the director’s idiosyncratic approach.
Challenges and Opportunities
Though Cailee Spaeny didn’t get the part in “The Little Mermaid,” she remained interested in Coppola’s projects. Apparently she auditioned for Coppola’s 2017 film, the period drama “The Beguiled”, but again was not cast. Spaeny also said that these scenes were missed, even there were titular options – ‘’Coppola’s work was inspiring for me as for any young actress’’.
Cailee Spaeny appreciated Coppola for the fact that she paid attention to young women and made movies that were close to people’s souls. This respect for Coppola’s work was evident as Spaeny moved through the company and advanced enough that she was cast in the title role of Coppola’s “Priscilla” as Priscilla Presley.
Meeting Sofia Coppola
Cailee Spaeny said that once she met Coppola in New York at a time she had just read her first script. When the two met, Coppola pulled up pictures of Priscilla Presley on her iPad and then told Spaeny she wanted her to portray the character. It was at this meeting that the concept of Spaeny metamorphosed, who earlier received guidance from Kirsten Dunst, a co-worker who worked with Coppola in ‘Civil War’.
Dunst had recommended that Spaeny should brace for joviality while shooting the “Priscilla” unlike the setting depicted in ‘Civil War.’ Dunst’s advice went down the drain as Spaeny described the shooting of “Priscilla” as a positive and creative process.
The Unfinished “Little Mermaid” Project
Coppola’s version of “The Little Mermaid” was intended to be a darker take on the classic fairy tale. However, the project faced numerous challenges, including the complexity of filming underwater scenes. Coppola eventually left the project in 2015, and despite Chloe Grace Moretz being cast in the lead role, the film was never completed.
Spaeny’s journey from her early auditions with Coppola to her leading role in “Priscilla” illustrates how early career setbacks can lead to significant opportunities. Her reflections on working with Coppola provide a fascinating glimpse into the world of filmmaking and the personal growth that comes with it.
