Sofia Coppola Reveals the Surprising Star She Dreams of Directing

When Sofia Coppola made her on-screen debut in her father’s film, The Godfather: Part III, she quickly became the target of harsh criticism. Her performance was widely panned, and it seemed like her time in the spotlight might be over before it even started. But Coppola never truly aspired to be an actress. Instead, she channeled her creative energy into other fields—dabbling in modeling, photography, fashion, music videos, and even television hosting.

By the late 1990s, Coppola’s path took a decisive turn. After receiving a copy of Jeffrey Eugenides’ novel The Virgin Suicides from Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth, she adapted the story for her first feature film. Her directorial debut was marked by a keen visual sensibility, capturing both the heartbreak and the dreamlike quality of the Lisbon sisters’ world. The film resonated deeply, especially with young women who saw their own struggles reflected in the characters’ experiences with societal and religious pressures, as well as the suffocating attention of those around them.

Building Iconic Collaborations

This first film also marked the beginning of a lasting creative partnership with Kirsten Dunst. Together, they crafted memorable films like Marie Antoinette, The Bling Ring, and The Beguiled. Over time, Coppola built a trusted circle of actors, including Elle Fanning and Bill Murray. When she finds someone who truly understands her unique cinematic universe—where wistfulness and hope intertwine—she often writes roles specifically for them, ensuring their continued collaboration.

Yet, there’s one performer Coppola has long hoped to work with, and her choice might surprise many. In a conversation with Emerald Fennell for Screen Daily, Coppola shared,

“I’ve always wanted to work with Eddie Murphy,”

though she admitted,

“I don’t have the idea or the project.”

Seeing Beyond Comedy

Murphy’s career has often been defined by broad comedies, from The Adventures of Pluto Nash to Norbit, where he’s known for transforming into wildly different characters for laughs. While he started strong with Saturday Night Live and box office hits like Beverly Hills Cop, the 1990s and 2000s brought a string of questionable choices and commercial disappointments that clouded his reputation.

Despite this, Murphy has enjoyed moments of critical acclaim, earning an Oscar nomination in 2006 for Dreamgirls and endearing himself to new generations as the voice of Donkey in Shrek. His performances in Dreamgirls and Dolemite Is My Name have shown he’s capable of much more than just comedy. Coppola sees the dramatic potential in Murphy, imagining what he could bring to a film with the emotional depth of Lost in Translation or Somewhere.

What the Future Might Hold

Perhaps what Murphy needs is a role that stands in stark contrast to his family- friendly comedies—a part that lets him showcase his range and win back some critical respect. Coppola, known for drawing out nuanced performances from her actors, could be the director to make that happen. For now, though, fans can only wonder what kind of story she might craft for him, and what unexpected magic could result from such a collaboration.