Actress and filmmaker Sofia Coppola has had a diverse career in Hollywood. Starting her acting career with her father, Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather, she made several appearances in his movies. However, it was her transition into filmmaking that established her as one of the creative forces in Hollywood. The Oscar-winning filmmaker is returning with her new film Priscilla, based on Priscilla Presley’s 1985 memoir Elvis and Me.
However, before the biographical drama, she was working on a five-hour limited series based on Edith Wharton’s 1913 novel The Custom of the Country before it was axed. And Coppola has claimed that it was dropped because of its unlikable female protagonist.
Sofia Coppola Revealed Why Her Apple TV+ Series Was Scrapped
Filmmaker Sofia Coppola sat down with The New York Times ahead of the release of her upcoming film Priscilla. During the interview, she discussed working on an adaptation of Edith Wharton’s 1913 novel The Custom of the Country.
It follows a Midwestern girl, Undine Spragg, who attempts to climb the social ladder in New York City. In 2020, reports revealed that the Lost in Translation director and Apple have teamed up to work on an adaptation of the classic novel. Coppola shared that it was expected to be a five-hour limited series.
However, it was eventually canceled because executives were not too pleased with its main character. The filmmaker also shared the reason why it was axed, saying, “The idea of an unlikable woman wasn’t their thing.” She further noted, “But that’s what I’m saying about who’s in charge.”
Concerned about the female protagonist’s likability, the streamer started cutting the budget for the adaptation. Apple TV+ is known for spending millions on prestigious projects, one of which also includes Martin Scosese’s latest film Killers of the Flower Moon. However, they have not responded to Coppola’s claim so far.
Sofia Coppola on Adapting Priscilla Presley’s Story
Sofia Coppola shared that after The Custom of the Country’s adaptation fell through, one of her friends suggested she find something new to work on. It was after that she started reading Priscilla Presley’s memoir Elvis and Me for a second time and decided to adapt it as her next film.
Coppola later reached out to Presley, who has been a fan of her work since Lost in Translation. She agreed to the adaptation and joined the project as an executive producer. The filmmaker claimed that if the movie following the King of Rock and Roll could be a hit, then Priscilla Presley’s side of the story would also garner public interest. Starring Cailee Spaeny and Jacob Elordi in the lead roles, the movie follows the actress’ life with Elvis Presley.
Priscilla is in cinemas in the USA and will make a expanded release on November 3. 2023.
