Singer-songwriter, Billie Eilish, is reportedly in talks to make her film acting début in a new adaptation of Sylvia Plath’s novel, The Bell Jar. Ten-time Grammy winner and two-time Oscar award-winning songwriter, Billie Eilish, is best known for songs including Birds of a Feather, What Was I Made For?, and Bad Guy, and now it seems she is taking a new step in her career, with a potential film début in The Bell Jar.
The Bell Jar is the only novel from American writer, Sylvia Plath. Originally published under the pseudonym Victoria Lucas in 1963, the book is thought to be semi-autobiographical. The work centres the protagonist, Esther Greenwood, a college student who dreams of becoming a poet, and delves into themes of Feminism, sexuality, and mental health, the latter of which draws parallels with Plath’s own experience.
The last major adaptation of Plath’s novel was in 1979, directed by Larry Peerce and starring Marilyn Hassett and Julie Harris. 1979’s version is currently the only adaptation to date, with several later adaptations abandoned before they hit screens. In April 2007, it was announced that Julia Stiles would star in and produce another adaptation of The Bell Jar, however, the rights expired before sufficient funding and the right scripting was put in place.
Then, in 2016, it was announced that Kirsten Dunst would be making her directorial début with an adaptation starring Dakota Fanning as Esther Greenwood. By 2019 though, Dunst was no longer attached to the project, and a potential limited series from Showtime to replace it was announced but then abandoned soon after.
This new movie adaptation of The Bell Jar is set to feature a script from Sarah Polley. Oscar winner Polley, known works including Women Talking and Away From Her, and for writing the series Alias Grace, is also attached to direct the feature film, which Focus Features is closing a deal to back and distribute in the U.S.
Joy Gorman Wettels (Little House on the Prairie, 13 Reasons Why), Plan B Entertainment, and StudioCanal are set to produce the film.
Eilish previously made her acting début, appearing in an episode of Prime Video’s Swarm (2023). Taking on the lead role of Esther Greenwood in The Bell Jar would mark Eilish’s début into the film industry. No other cast members have been announced so far.
