That octopus book is about to hit the screen.
Netflix has optioned the film adaptation package Shelby Van Pelt’s wildly popular novel.
Sally Field, the veteran actress was last seen in Brady 80Is in talks to star in a feature film directed by Olivia Newman, probably best known for directing Where the crayfish sing. Newman also wrote the screenplay with John Whittington.
David Levine will produce the adaptation via Anonymous Content, with Brian Unkeless (I, Tonya) and Peter Craig, the famous screenwriter small town and batman. Craig is also Field’s son.
The novel tells the story of the unique relationship between a lonely woman who works as a janitor at an aquarium and a giant Pacific octopus named Marcellus who lives there.
The woman was grieving the death of her husband while still thinking about her son’s disappearance at sea 30 years ago. Octopus is a grumpy cephalopod, but he’s smarter than the humans around him think, and he might be the only one who can help the lady.
Released by Ecco in the spring of 2022, the book has received excellent reviews and is shaping up to be the best-selling book of 2023 according to some book tracking publications. The book has sold more than 2 million copies and been printed at least 30 times, earning it the nickname “The Octopus Book.”
This is the debut novel of Van Pelt, a former financial advisor who spent several years working on the book based on short stories she wrote in a novel-writing seminar at Emory University.
Netflix did not comment on the deal.
Executive producers are Tony Lipp and Alyssa Rodrigues of Anonymous Content.
Co-written by Whittington Sonic the Hedgehog 2With a global box office of over $400 million, subsequent launches Knuckles Paramount+ limited series in April. he co-wrote Sonic 3which will open in December. Whittington has a history in animation, working on The Lego Batman Movie, The Lego Ninjago Movie and DC Super Pets League.
Newman already has extensive experience in the field of adaptations, as she crayfish Translated Delia Owens’ book. The film was a critical success, grossing $144.3 million worldwide on a budget of $24 million. She also coaches pilots the last thing he told meApple’s adaptation of the novel by Laura Dave, starring Jennifer Garner.
Field’s extensive screen career includes two Academy Awards in 1979 norma ray and 1984 place in heartand a nomination from Steven Spielberg Lincoln. Her credits range from Smokey and the Bandit movies and Hooper arrive Mrs Doubtfire, Forrest Gump and played Aunt May in Andrew Garfield amazing spider man Movie. One of her most recent credits is playing Jeanie Buss in the HBO series Moments of Victory: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty.
Fields are 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. The pair are also represented by Hansen Jacobson and Erik Sudson.
Van Pelt is represented by Anonymous Content and Christine Nelson.
