Billie Eilish may star in The Bell Jar film reboot directed by Sarah Polley

Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar is set for a new film adaptation, with Sarah Polley directing. Billie Eilish is in advanced talks to play the lead role of Esther Greenwood. The project comes decades after a 1979 version failed to connect with viewers.

The novel, a semi-autobiographical work, follows Esther's psychological collapse and institutionalisation. It also examines the pressures faced by American women in the 1950s and their impact on mental health. Plath's only novel, published in 1963, closely mirrors her own struggles. Esther Greenwood, the protagonist, battles societal expectations and a deteriorating mental state. The story's raw portrayal of depression and recovery has made it a literary landmark.

A previous adaptation in 1979 starred Marilyn Hassett as Esther, alongside Julie Harris. That version received little attention. In 2007, Julia Stiles was attached to a planned remake, but the project never moved forward.

This time, Focus Features, Plan B Entertainment, and StudioCanal are backing the film. Polley, known for directing Women Talking, will oversee the adaptation. If confirmed, Eilish's casting marks her return to acting after appearing in the Prime Video series Swarm. The new adaptation will bring Plath's influential novel to a modern audience. With Polley at the helm and Eilish potentially in the lead, the film aims to capture the book's emotional depth. Production details are expected to follow as negotiations finalise.