Billie Eilish in talks to make film acting debut in adaptation of Sylvia Plath's 'The Bell Jar'

Billie Eilish is reportedly in discussions to make her feature film acting debut in an upcoming adaptation of Sylvia Plath’s novel The Bell Jar, directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Sarah Polley.

Polley is set to write the screenplay and direct the project, marking her first feature film since winning the Academy Award for best adapted screenplay for Women Talking in 2023. The film has been acquired by Focus Features, which will distribute the project.

Eilish, a globally recognised musician, is already a two-time Academy Award winner for co-writing the original songs for the films Barbie and No Time to Die alongside her brother and collaborator Finneas.

The Bell Jar remains the only novel written by American poet and author Sylvia Plath. The semi-autobiographical story follows a young woman’s gradual descent into mental illness as she struggles with the restrictive social expectations placed on women during the 1950s. Widely regarded as a literary classic, the book was first published under a pseudonym in 1963, shortly before Plath’s death.

The film adaptation will be produced by Joy Gorman Wettels, known for work on Little House on the Prairie and 13 Reasons Why. Wettels originated the project through her company Joy Coalition and developed the production alongside Plan B Entertainment and StudioCanal before Focus Features joined as distributor.

Eilish has previously appeared on screen, making her acting debut in the Prime Video series Swarm, which was co-created by Donald Glover and Janine Nabers and starred Dominique Fishback. Her performance received industry recognition, including the People’s Choice Award for TV performance of the year and a nomination for best supporting performance in a new scripted series at the Independent Spirit Awards.

The singer-songwriter is also expanding her work behind the camera. She is currently co-directing the upcoming concert tour documentary Billie Eilish: Hit Me Hard and Soft – The Tour alongside filmmaker James Cameron.