Sally Field, ‘Where the Crawdads Sing’ Director Olivia Newman Adapting ‘Remarkably Bright Creatures’ (Exclusive)

Sally Field, ‘Where the Crawdads Sing’ Director Olivia Newman Adapting ‘Remarkably Bright Creatures’ (Exclusive)

As a seasoned gamer who’s seen his fair share of movie adaptations, I can’t help but feel a rush of excitement about the upcoming film based on “Remarkably Bright Creatures.” The fact that Sally Field, an actress with a resume as diverse as a buffet at a gaming convention, is in talks to star, and Olivia Newman, who brought the enchanting world of “Where the Crawdads Sing” to life, is directing, makes this a must-watch.


That octopus book is heading to the screen.

Netflix has acquired the rights for a movie based on the much-loved book “Remarkably Bright Creatures” by Shelby Van Pelt.

Actress Sally Field, who recently appeared in “80 for Brady”, is in discussions to take on a role in an upcoming film directed by Olivia Newman. Newman gained recognition for directing “Where the Crawdads Sing” and is co-writing the script for this new project with John Whittington.

I, as a dedicated fan, am thrilled to learn that David Levine will be at the helm for this adaptation, working alongside Bryan Unkeless (known for his exceptional work in I, Tonya) and Peter Craig – an acclaimed screenwriter who has previously brought The Town and The Batman to life. Interestingly, Craig is also the son of Field. This talented team promises a compelling adaptation!

The story revolves around a solitary woman, who works as a cleaner at an aquarium, and her extraordinary bond with a massive Pacific octopus known as Marcellus, who resides there.

The woman mourns the passing of her husband and continues to grapple with the mystery of her son’s sea disappearance that took place three decades ago. However, this cantankerous octopus could potentially hold the key to helping her, as he might be more astute than people realize.

In spring 2022, Ecco published the book that later exploded in popularity, becoming the highest-selling book of 2023 based on certain book sales data. It has sold over 2 million copies and undergone at least 30 printings, earning the nickname “the octopus book” among many readers.

The first book published by Van Pelt, a previous financial advisor, was constructed from a short tale penned by her during a creative writing class at Emory University, which she developed over numerous years.

Netflix had no comment on the deal.

Executive producing are Tony Lipp of Anonymous Content and Alyssa Rodrigues.

As a game writer, I had the privilege to contribute to the epic sequel, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, which raked in an impressive $400 million globally. In April, I also kickstarted the Knuckles limited series for Paramount+. Looking forward, you’ll find me co-writing Sonic 3, set to release in December. I’ve got a rich history in animation, having worked on blockbusters like The Lego Batman Movie, The Lego Ninjago Movie, and DC League of Super-Pets.

Previously, Newman has worked in the adaptation sector. Notably, she was responsible for adapting Delia Owens’ book “Crawdads” into a movie which turned out to be a massive success, earning $144.3 million globally against a budget of just $24 million. Moreover, she directed the pilot episode for “The Last Thing He Told Me,” an adaptation of Laura Dave’s novel, with Jennifer Garner in the lead role on Apple TV.

Field’s illustrious film career spans over four decades, with two Academy Awards earned for her roles in ‘Norma Rae’ (1979) and ‘Places in the Heart’ (1984), and a nomination for her work in Steven Spielberg’s ‘Lincoln’. Her diverse filmography encompasses roles in the ‘Smokey and the Bandit’ series, ‘Hooper’, ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’, ‘Forrest Gump’, and the ‘Amazing Spider-Man’ movies starring Andrew Garfield as Spiderman. More recently, she portrayed Jeanie Buss in HBO’s ‘Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty’.

The field is managed by United Talent Agency and Anonymous Content. Newman is handled by William Morris Endeavor, Grandview, and Jackoway Tyerman, WAE for short. Meanwhile, Whittington is represented by Verve, Grandview, and the agency McGuin Frankel.

Besides representing Craig and Unkeless, Grandview is also associated with CAA. Both of these individuals are additionally represented by Hansen Jacobson, while Eric Suddleson handles Unkeless’s representation.

Read More

2024-08-14 20:55