Cailee Spaeny’s journey to becoming the breakout star she is today had humble beginnings. While many know her for her role as Priscilla Presley in the 2023 film “Elvis,” Spaeny’s first collaboration with director Sofia Coppola was actually on a scrapped version of “The Little Mermaid.” In an interview with Empire, Spaeny revealed that her first callback ever was through Coppola for the role of a mermaid with no dialogue. The project, however, never came to fruition, leaving Spaeny disappointed yet eager for more opportunities.
In 2017, Spaeny auditioned for Coppola’s period drama “The Beguiled,” but unfortunately, that role did not work out either. Despite the setbacks, Spaeny was drawn to Coppola’s work, especially appreciating how the director took young girls seriously in a way that resonated with her personally. Coppola’s unique approach to storytelling and her ability to create compelling narratives for young women left a lasting impression on Spaeny.
It was through these initial experiences with Sofia Coppola that Spaeny eventually landed her breakout role as Priscilla Presley in the film “Elvis.” After a meeting in New York, where Coppola showed her photos of Priscilla Presley, Spaeny secured the role that would propel her career to new heights. Despite initial disappointments and setbacks, Spaeny’s persistence and talent shone through, leading to this significant opportunity.
Insights from Kirsten Dunst
During the filming of “Civil War” alongside Kirsten Dunst, who is a frequent collaborator with Coppola, Spaeny received insights and tips on how to navigate Coppola’s sets. Dunst’s advice about the relaxed and chill atmosphere of working with Coppola, as opposed to the intense war film they had just completed, proved to be invaluable. This guidance helped Spaeny acclimate to the unique directorial style of Sofia Coppola, setting her up for success in her role as Priscilla.
The Scrapped Little Mermaid Project
In 2014, Coppola was in the process of developing a live-action adaptation of “The Little Mermaid” with Universal and Working Title. Unlike the light-hearted Disney version, Coppola intended to base the project on the darker original fairy tale. However, the project faced challenges when a studio executive questioned its appeal to older male audiences. This setback, though disappointing at the time, paved the way for other opportunities for Spaeny and Coppola to collaborate on different projects.
Cailee Spaeny’s journey from a scrapped mermaid project to landing the role of Priscilla Presley in “Elvis” is a testament to her resilience and talent as an actress. Through her early collaborations with Sofia Coppola and the valuable insights she gained along the way, Spaeny has established herself as a rising star in Hollywood. Her ability to overcome obstacles and turn setbacks into opportunities is truly inspiring, and it will be exciting to see where her career takes her next.
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