Sofia Coppola Says Her Apple TV+ Collection Was Axed Due to Her Lead Being “an Unlikable Girl”

Earlier than Sofia Coppola determined to inform Priscilla Presley’s story in A24 biopic Priscilla, she was readying one other main undertaking that didn’t find yourself panning out.

The director had set an adaptation of Edith Wharton’s 1913 novel, The Customized of the Nation, at Apple TV+. It was going to be a five-hour restricted collection, however the streamer determined towards it.

Coppola lately informed The New York Occasions that although Apple has a knack for spending huge on status tasks, the executives weren’t followers of the lead character — social climber Undine Spragg — in order that they began slicing again on how a lot cash they had been prepared to place into it.

“The concept of an unlikable lady wasn’t their factor,” Coppola informed the publication. “However that’s what I’m saying about who’s in cost.”

The Customized of the Nation follows Undine, a younger lady with social aspirations who convinces her newly wealthy mother and father to depart the Midwest and settle in New York, in accordance with the ebook’s abstract. As soon as within the metropolis, she captures the attention of a younger man from excessive society and finally ends up marrying him. That relationship and each after that proved to be unsatisfactory due to her greed and ambition.

The Hollywood Reporter reached out to Apple for remark.

After the novel adaptation fell via, Coppola informed The Occasions {that a} buddy of hers steered she discover one thing new to direct. So, she learn Presley’s biography Elvis and Me for the second time and immediately noticed how she may flip it into her subsequent movie. And with Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis simply going into manufacturing on the time, she figured if it was successful, then individuals can be much more occupied with Priscilla’s story.

The Marie Antoinette director referred to as up Presley, who she knew was a fan of hers, and requested if she may have the rights to the ebook. The businesswoman and actress agreed after some wooing and joined the undertaking as an govt producer. Coppola discovered her leads in Cailee Spaeny and Jacob Elordi.

A few of Apple TV+’s latest collection embrace upcoming Classes in Chemistry, The Morning Present, Bodily and Excessive Desert.

Priscilla hits theaters Nov. 3.