Billie Eilish is set to make her movie acting debut as Deadline reports that the musician is in “advanced talks” to star in an adaptation of Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar.
The Bell Jar Movie
The Bell Jar movie is set to be directed by Sarah Polley, the Oscar-winning director/writer behind Away From Her and Women Talking. She will also write the script based on Plath’s novel. Focus Features has landed the project, which comes from Plan B Entertainment and StudioCanal, with Gorman Wettels producing.
Originally published in 1963 under the pseudonym “Victoria Lucas,” the semi-autobiographical novel follows Esther Greenwood, a young woman who descends into mental illness as she navigates the pressures of society along with her own ambitions. Sadly, Plath died by suicide just a month after the novel’s release, and it would be three years before the novel was published under her name.
Assuming all goes as planned, Eilish would play Esther in the movie.
The Bell Jar was previously given the big-screen treatment in 1979, starring Marilyn Hassett and Julie Harris. There have been numerous other attempts at another adaptation over the years, including a 2007 version starring Julia Stiles, which fell apart after several years of development. Nearly a decade later, Kirsten Dunst was set to direct an adaptation starring Dakota Fanning, but it didn’t come together either. Showtime had a series adaptation in the works with Frankie Shaw, but that one didn’t make it.
Billie Eilish
Eilish previously dabbled in acting with a role in the Prime Video series Swarm, but this would be the biggest acting gig of her career by far. Most of her appearances have been as herself, be it on Saturday Night Live or Sesame Street. Will she be a good fit to take on the leading role in The Bell Jar?
She also co-directed her recent concert film, Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D), alongside James Cameron. Yes, that James Cameron. She also snagged a Grammy Award (her tenth) for Song of the Year for Wildflower.
