The Little Mermaid is one of the best animated features that Walt Disney has made. What many may not know is that the tale didn’t begin there; the tale began in the brain of one of history’s greatest authors of children’s stories: Hans Christian Andersen. The Danish writer created The Little Mermaid in 1836, and has since been adapted many times including the classic Disney film.

Now comes word that a brand new movie based on the story is being developed as a new live-action feature film. The film is being developed by director Joe Wright, whose father founded The Little Angel Theatre Company, which also happens to have a Little Mermaid production using puppets that inspired screenwriter Abi Morgan to pen the adaption.

The Little Mermaid tells the story of a young mermaid who lives in an underwater utopia and is the daughter to said utopia’s king. Though she has a good life, when the mermaid falls in love with a human prince, she decides that it is her destiny to also become human so that she can be with the prince.

Joe Wright is best known for three of his previous films in Academy Award nominated Pride & Prejudice, Academy Award nominated Atonement, and The Soloist.

[Source: Deadline]