Cailee Spaeny shared an interesting anecdote about her early collaboration attempts with Sofia Coppola. She revealed that her first callback with the renowned director was for an eventually scrapped version of The Little Mermaid. Despite sending a strange self-tape audition playing a mermaid with no dialogue, the project did not come to fruition. Later, Cailee auditioned for The Beguiled, another Coppola film, but unfortunately, that didn’t work out either. It was crushing for Cailee, as she had idolized Sofia Coppola growing up and found her work to be liberating for young women.
However, despite these initial setbacks, Cailee Spaeny eventually landed a breakout role as Priscilla Presley in the 2023 film alongside Jacob Elordi as Elvis Presley. It was a significant moment for her career, and it all began with a meeting with Sofia Coppola in New York. During their coffee meeting, Coppola showed Cailee photos of Priscilla Presley and discussed the character with her. This role opened up new opportunities for Cailee and marked a turning point in her acting journey.
While filming Civil War alongside Kirsten Dunst, who is a frequent collaborator of Sofia Coppola, Cailee Spaeny received valuable advice from Dunst on how to navigate working with Coppola. Dunst reassured Cailee that working on Coppola’s set would be a stark contrast to the intense war film they had just completed. She emphasized that it would be relaxed, chill, and an enjoyable experience. Kirsten’s guidance helped Cailee prepare for the unique atmosphere of a Coppola production.
Interestingly, Sofia Coppola had been working on a live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid with Universal and Working Title in 2014. The project aimed to explore the darker aspects of the original fairy tale, departing from the light-hearted Disney version. Unfortunately, the film fell through when a studio executive raised concerns about its appeal to older male audiences. This setback highlights the challenges faced by filmmakers, even established ones like Coppola, in bringing their creative visions to life.
Cailee Spaeny’s journey with Sofia Coppola reflects the ups and downs of the film industry. Despite initial disappointments and missed opportunities, Cailee persevered and eventually found success with a significant role in Coppola’s film. The experience taught her valuable lessons about resilience, adapting to different sets, and seizing opportunities when they arise. It is a reminder that setbacks can lead to unexpected breakthroughs, and every experience contributes to an actor’s growth and development in their craft.
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