The Bell Jar (upcoming film)
American film
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Bell Jar is an upcoming psychological drama film directed by Sarah Polley and adapted by her from the 1963 novel by Sylvia Plath.
| The Bell Jar | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Sarah Polley |
| Screenplay by | Sarah Polley |
| Based on | |
| Produced by | Joy Gorman Wettels |
| Starring | |
Production companies |
|
| Distributed by | Focus Features |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Cast
- Billie Eilish as Esther Greenwood
- Carey Mulligan as Mrs. Greenwood
- Connor Storrie
Production
In July 2016, it was announced that Kirsten Dunst would make her directorial debut with a new film adaptation of The Bell Jar, - the first since the 1970s - also co-writing the screenplay with Nellie Kim; Dakota Fanning would star.[1] In October 2016, Jesse Plemons joined the cast.[2] In November 2016, Patricia Arquette and Bel Powley joined the cast.[3] However, the project failed to materialize with Dunst explaining in 2019: "I never had the rights. It was never mine. It was a script that was going around forever and with tons of people rewriting it. It just kept dragging on, and not getting financed, and I was like, ‘It’s too much work.’ I was in a phase of my life where I met Jesse [Plemons] and we were going to have a baby. I just wasn’t in the place anymore."[4]
Years later, in March 2026, it was announced that Focus Features had acquired the rights with Sarah Polley writing and directing the adaptation; Billie Eilish would star.[5] Filming began on June 29, 2026, in Toronto. It is due to film until September 2.[6] In July 2026, Carey Mulligan was announced as part of the cast,[7] and Ella Beatty was in final talks to join.[8] Connor Storrie was cast in August.[9]
On August 3, set pictures of Eilish as Esther Greenwood were released, showing her in 1950s-style costumes and hairstyles on the set of the movie in Toronto.[10][11]