Best Book of 1997 1997 Locus Recommended Book James Tiptree Jr. Award Short-List choice Intergalactic Award for Best Novel (1997) Seiun Award nominee (2001) Film adaptation A film adaptation was first planned in 1999 by producer Michael London. London brought the project to Jim Henson Pictures, who said he was drawn to "the weird juxtaposition (of) a completely imagined creature in this very specific historical world." The film was set to be directed by Christopher Renshaw, which would've been his feature film debut, and written by Laura Harrington with McIntyre's involvement. Stephanie Allain and Kristine Belson would executive producer from Jim Henson Pictures. Film producer Bill Mechanic later joined production and brought the film to Walt Disney Pictures after signing a five-year deal with the company in December 2001. Mechanic planned for the film to start pre-production in early 2002, with Natalie Portman to star and James Schamus to revise the script, with Gregory Hoblit to possibly direct. Following Sony breaking from the joint venture of Jim Henson Pictures in 1999, the film would be produced by The Jim Henson Company instead. In August 2013, it was announced that Sean McNamara would direct the film, and that casting included Pierce Brosnan as King Louis XIV, Fan Bingbing as the mermaid, and Bill Nighy as Pere de Chaise, a character created for the movie. Nighy pulled out of the film due to a scheduling conflict and was replaced by William Hurt weeks before filming. The film began production on April 23, 2014, at Victoria, Australia, along with Docklands Studios Melbourne. Additional filming also took place in Versailles, France. Mechanic had also revised the script with Barry Berman and Ronald Bass. Chinese film company Kylin Films invested $20.5 million into the movie, making it China's biggest financial contribution to a non-studio film produced outside China. Paramount Pictures acquired US distribution rights and set the movie for wide release on April 10, 2015, with international sales being handled by Good Universe. However, three weeks before the film's release, the film was pulled from its schedule. A source close to the film claimed that the film needed more time to complete the special effects work. In October 2021, it was announced that Gravitas Ventures acquired distribution rights to the film, and set it for a January 21, 2022, release. References External links 1997 American novels 1997 fantasy novels 1997 science fiction novels American alternate