Shirley MacLaine to Star in Live-Action LITTLE MERMAID Film

Variety reports that Shirley MacLaine, Poppy Drayton and Loreto Peralta will star in the upcoming live-action family film A LITTLE MERMAID, based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairytale. Production is set to get underway in Georgia this March with Chris Bouchard directing from a screenplay by Blake Harris.

Published in 1837, Anderson's iconic story follows "a young mermaid willing to give up her life in the sea to gain a human soul after she falls in love with a handsome prince." The Disney animated version of the tale was released in 1989 and grossed over $200 million worldwide.

"We're thrilled to be launching MVP Studios with 'A Little Mermaid,' a magical adventure that uses the beloved fairytale as its jumping off point, but is an all-new story with all-new characters that the entire family can enjoy," said the film's producers Robert Molloy and Armando Gutierrez.

Shirley MacLaine began her illustrious career on the stage with "Me and Juliet" & "The Pajama Game." Her foray into film has led to more than 50 feature films highlighted by six Academy Award® nominations and a win for "Best Actress" in 1984 for her portrayal as Aurora Greenway in Terms Of Endearment. MacLaine also has six Emmy® Award nominations, seven Golden Globe® Wins - including the "Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award." In addition to her achievements on stage, film and television MacLaine was recognized with France's most prestigious cultural award, "Chevalier de la Legion d'honneur." at the French Cinematheque in 2011, the American Film Institute's "Lifetime Achievement" Award in 2012 and the "Kennedy Center Honors" in 2013. She is also an award winning international author.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos