Remarkably Bright Creatures in Production with Sally Field
This octopus book is headed to the screen. Netlfix has purchased a movie package that adapts to the very popular novel by Shelby Van Pelt.
Sally Field, the veteran actress who was last seen in 80 for Bradyin talks to star in the film, which is set to be directed by Olivia Newman, who is perhaps best known for directing where the crayfish sing Newman is also writing the screenplay with John Whittington.
The adaptation will be produced by David Levine via Anonymous Content alongside Brian Unkelis (I am Tonya) and Peter Craig, the famous screenwriter of The town and The bat Craig is also Field’s son.
The novel tells the story of the unique relationship between a lonely woman who works as a cleaner at an aquarium and a giant Pacific octopus named Marsilis who lives in the facility.
A woman grieves the death of her husband and is still reeling from the disappearance of her son at sea thirty years ago. An octopus, a strange cephalopod, is smarter than the humans around him realize, and he may be the only one who can help the woman.
The book was released by Ecco in the spring of 2022 and became popular through word of mouth, becoming the best-selling book of 2023, according to some book-tracking publications. The book has sold over 2 million copies and has gone through at least 30 reprints, where it has become popularly known as “The Octopus Book.”
This novel was the debut of Van Pelt, a former financial advisor, who built it over several years from a short story she wrote during a fiction writing workshop at Emory University. Netflix had no comment on the deal.
Executive producers are Tony Lieb of Anonymous Content and Alyssa Rodriguez.
Whittington co-wrote Sonic the Hedgehog 2which grossed over $400 million worldwide, and was then released Joints Limited series on Paramount+ in April. Co-written by Sonic 3which will open in December. Whittington has a long history in animation, working on The Lego Batman Movie, The Lego Ninjago Movie, and DC Super Pet League.
Newman already has experience in the field of adaptation as crayfish The book was translated by Delia Owens. The film proved to be a success, grossing $144.3 million worldwide on a $24 million budget. She also directed the pilot episode of The last thing he said to meAn Apple film based on the novel by Laura Dave, starring Jennifer Garner.
Field’s long career includes two Academy Awards, the first in 1979. Norma Rae and 1984 Places in the heartand Steven Spielberg Award nomination. LincolnHer work ranges from Smokey and the Thief Movies and Hopper to Mrs. Doubtfire and forrest gump To play Aunt May in Andrew Garfield’s film surprising spider man Movies. Her recent work includes playing Jeanie Buss in the HBO series Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty.
Field is represented by UTA and Anonymous Content. Newman is represented by WME, Grandview and Jackoway Austen, while Whittington is represented by Verve, Grandview and McGuin Frankel.
Grandview also represents Craig and Unkeless, as does CAA. They are also represented by Hansen Jacobson and Eric Suddleson, respectively.
