The announcement was reportedly made at a press event for the 2007 Festival de Radio France de Montpellier, which is directed by Ren_ Koering, who is also music director at the Op_ra de Montpellier.

However, Coppola's spokesman denied the report yesterday, saying in a statement (quoted by AFP) that "She has no knowledge of nor has she agreed to direct a production there."

Coppola, the daughter of U.S. filmmaking legend Francis Ford Coppola, began her movie career appearing in his films, including the Godfather trilogy, Rumble Fish, The Cotton Club and Peggy Sue Got Married.