‘Coraline’ live-action remake talk leaves author as confused as internet
In an age of reboots and remakes, really nothing can surprise us. But when talk of a Coraline live-action film started making the rounds on Twitter, many were confused—including the book’s author Neil Gaiman.
Yesterday, several Twitter users started talking about a live-action Coraline. As the internet often does, it took an idea and ran with it spiraling into a viral moment online.
Read more: Top 10 pop tracks every punk won’t admit they listen to
Gaiman published Coraline in 2002, and it was later adapted as a stop-motion film in 2009. Henry Selick, who also worked on The Nightmare Before Christmas, was brought in as director with a cast that included Dakota Fanning as the titular character.
Many expressed their opinions on whether or not a live-action film should exist. Some wanted nothing to do with it while others were hoping it would actually follow the source material’s darkness.
Get that idea for a Coraline live action movie out of your head right this minute
— Candice Frederick (@ReelTalker) July 16, 2019
A coraline…live…action…I’m…can we not? pic.twitter.com/9vXHUspzfQ
— Autumn is available for illustration work✨ (@AutumnArt18) July 16, 2019
coraline took almost 2 years to make. thats 2 whole years of not only moving little tiny body parts frame by frame but hair, faces, etc. to get the finished product. the animated movie in itself is such a masterpiece that a live action version would be so unecessary.
— justine (@biticonjustine) July 16, 2019
https://twitter.com/mygskeyboard/status/1149411023826366464
Petition for there to be a new Coraline movie that is live action and ACTUALLY follows the book. That is exactly what I need. pic.twitter.com/SEizxW6647
— moe. (@moebrielle) July 12, 2019
Others were all for it, choosing who they think should play the titular character. One of the top choices was Stranger Things actress Natalia Dyer as well as Billie Eilish.
Hear me out,,,
Live action Coraline with Natalia Dyer as Coraline pic.twitter.com/X5MGO6CiOh
— ash | taylors version (@evermore_ash) July 9, 2019
If we are getting a live action “Coraline” movie, can Billie Eilish please be the star of it🙏🏼 @billieeilish pic.twitter.com/cd5IJnSyp8
— Paul Butcher (@ThePaulButcher) July 16, 2019
Read more: 25 creepy kid’s films that absolutely wrecked our childhood from ‘Coraline to Watership Down
The only problem? No one knew where the confirmation of a live-acton remake originated including Gaiman.
“If anyone has any idea where this ‘live action Coraline’ nonsense started can you send me a link?” he tweeted. “All I can see is thousands of upset people who have apparently all heard it from each other.”
If anyone has any idea where this "live action Coraline" nonsense started can you send me a link? All I can see is thousands of upset people who have apparently all heard it from each other.
— Neil Gaiman (@neilhimself) July 16, 2019
One Twitter user tried to shine a positive light on Gaiman’s confusion, telling him, “So….. maybe, and this is really out there…. but maybe, you could do it now you know there’s loads of interest???”
Gaiman crushed the dreams of any Coraline fan hoping for the remake. “All I’m seeing is literally thousands of tweets from people going ‘No!’” he said. “I think it’s had the opposite effect. If it had ever crossed anyone’s mind (it hadn’t) it would now not be a thing.”
All I'm seeing is literally thousands of Tweets from people going "No!". I think it's had the opposite effect. If it had ever crossed anyone's mind (it hadn't) it would now not be a thing. https://t.co/Pr82XhZWdP
— Neil Gaiman (@neilhimself) July 16, 2019
Gaiman’s followers helped trace back the source of the remake talk, with one pointing out it may have been due to a Dyer fan accout.
“As far as I can tell, a Natalia Dyer fan account posted that she would make a good Coraline. People got so mad about the idea of a live action remake, that it created the impression that it was happening.”
— Neil Gaiman (@neilhimself) July 16, 2019
https://twitter.com/swiftlynatalia/status/1150473823726264320
Someone else pointed out people were sharing their ideal castings for Disney remakes, and Coraline was brought into the mix.
“I think it started because al lot of people were fan-casting live action Disney remakes and someone suggested an actress for a live action Coraline,” the user explained. “I‘m pretty sure that person only did it for fun and never claimed there actually WAS a remake.”
Gaiman responded, “Absolutely, and then people got upset about something [not] happening anyway. Oh well. Welcome to 2019 again.”
Absolutely. And then people got upset about something now happening anyway. Oh well. Welcome to 2019 again. https://t.co/LZXPW6HjKq
— Neil Gaiman (@neilhimself) July 16, 2019
Gaiman also cleared up a posting for a casting call, which is traced back to a 2017 student film.
“Category: student film, non paid non union might be a clue that it’s not real, if people think it is,” he tweeted.
Category: student film, non paid non union might be a clue that it's not real, if people think it is.
— Neil Gaiman (@neilhimself) July 16, 2019
And if you needed any further confirmation that a live-action Coraline isn’t in the cards, then Gaiman cleared it all up with a straightforward “No.”
No.
— Neil Gaiman (@neilhimself) July 16, 2019
For those still hoping for more Coraline in any capacity, there might be a tinge of hope. One Twitter user asked “Would you ever write another Coraline book or do you think there’s no need for it??” Gaiman responded, “If I ever come up with a Coraline story better than Coraline.”
If I ever come up with a Coraline story better than Coraline. https://t.co/WW1YR51G1W
— Neil Gaiman (@neilhimself) July 16, 2019
See more: 25 creepy kid’s films that absolutely wrecked our childhood
[envira-gallery id=”195048″]