Rebecca Thomas Swims Near ‘Little Mermaid’ Directing Gig

The upcoming live-action The Little Mermaid set to star Chloë Grace Moretz in the title role is close to finding a captain to steer the ship. Rebecca Thomas, who recently lined up Looking for Alaska for Paramount, is in early talks to direct the adaptation of Hans Christian Anderson’s fairy tale.

Sofia Coppola was originally set to bring the Universal Pictures and Working Title co-production to life, but dropped out of the project in June citing the ever popular “creative differences” for her decision. Universal has been trying to lock a new director down since then, and it seems they’ve found her with Thomas.

Four Weddings and a Funeral and Love, Actually writer Richard Curtis is scripting the film, with Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner producing for Working Title Films. Working Title’s Liza Chasin and Amelia Granger will executive produce, while Executive VP Erik Baiers and Director of Development Chloe Yellin are overseeing for Universal.

Thomas is repped by CAA, Principato-Young Entertainment and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman, Warren, Richman, Rush & Kaller, L.L.P.