Kelly Marcel, the screenwriter of the film adaptation for E.L. James’ steamy love story 50 Shades of Grey, will write the script for a live-action adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid.
The script for the new adaptation of The Little Mermaid, which tells the tale of a young mermaid who leaves her life under the sea to be with a human prince, has been worked on by many writers including The Iron Lady’s Abi Morgan. Now, Marcel is next to draft the screenplay.
Marcel’s screenwriting experience is quite versatile. She wrote for the sci-fi series, Terra Nova, and penned the script for Saving Mr. Banks, a new drama film starring Tom Hanks as Walt Disney that will be released in December.
The new adaptation of The Little Mermaid will be directed by Joe Wright, whose previous work includes Pride & Prejudice and Atonement. The fairytale, first published in 1837, has been adapted numerous times. Wright’s version will be based on the children puppet theater’s production of the tale at London’s Little Angel Theatre Company.
