Working Title is reteaming with Joe Wright to make a live-action feature adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairytale The Little Mermaid, Working Title’s co-chairmen Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner announced.

Abi Morgan (Brick Lane, The Iron Lady) has written the adaptation, which was inspired by a children’s puppet theatre production of the classic at London’s Little Angel Theatre Company.

The classic tale is about a young mermaid who gives up her aquatic life to love a human prince. Anderson’s story was first published in 1837 and has been adapted numerous times; Wright’s film will be the first live-action feature film version in English.

Wright previously worked with Working Title on his first three features: Pride & Prejudice, Atonement and The Soloist.

Wright is currently in post-production on Hanna starring Saoirse Ronan, Cate Blanchett and Eric Bana.

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