Olivia Newman to Adapt New Bestseller Featuring a Cephalopod Star
- Olivia Newman, the filmmaker known for directing Where the Crawdads Sing, is adapting another major bestseller for the screen.
- The film is based on the debut novel by Shelby Van Pelt, a title that maintained a presence on the New York Times bestseller list for more than...
- The production features Sally Field and Lewis Pullman in leading roles.
Olivia Newman, the filmmaker known for directing Where the Crawdads Sing
, is adapting another major bestseller for the screen. Netflix will release Remarkably Bright Creatures on May 8, 2026.
The film is based on the debut novel by Shelby Van Pelt, a title that maintained a presence on the New York Times bestseller list for more than 64 weeks.
Cast and Production Details
The production features Sally Field and Lewis Pullman in leading roles. A central figure in the story is Marcellus, a cantankerous giant octopus, who is voiced by Alfred Molina.
The screenplay was co-written by director Olivia Newman and John Whittington, who previously worked on Sonic the Hedgehog 3
.
Producing the project for Night Owl are Peter Craig and Bryan Unkeless, with David Levine of Anonymous Content also serving as a producer.
Project Background
The adaptation transforms Van Pelt’s novel, which became widely known as that octopus book
, into a heartwarming mystery for the streaming platform.
The film’s approach combines a star-studded human cast with the central cephalopod character to bring the bestseller’s narrative to life.
With a release date set for May 8, 2026, the project marks another instance of Newman bringing a high-profile literary success to a visual medium.
