Exciting Cast Announced for Netflix’s Adaptation of Remarkably Bright Creatures
The highly anticipated film adaptation of Remarkably Bright Creatures, the best-selling novel by Shelby Van Pelt, has finalized its cast. Joining the acclaimed Sally Field are Lewis Pullman, Colm Meaney, and Joan Chen. The book has garnered significant acclaim, spending an impressive 64 weeks on the New York Times best-seller list.
Other notable additions to the cast include Kathy Baker, known for her role in Picket Fences, Beth Grant from Little Miss Sunshine, and Sofia Black D’Elia, famous for her performance in Single Drunk Female.
Director and Filming Location
The film, directed by Olivia Newman—renowned for her work on Where the Crawdads Sing—is currently in production in Vancouver. This adaptation aims to bring the touching story of a unique relationship to life.
Plot Overview
Remarkably Bright Creatures revolves around Tova, a lonely elderly widow who works as a janitor in an aquarium, and her unlikely friendship with a giant Pacific octopus named Marcellus. As Tova develops a bond with the octopus, she remains unaware of Marcellus’s secret mission: to help her heal and discover a life-altering truth.
Getty Images for Capital Concerts; Michael Chieffo; Michael Creagh
Book’s Success
Released by Ecco in the spring of 2022, Remarkably Bright Creatures quickly became a cultural phenomenon. With over 2 million copies sold and at least 30 printings, it was recognized as the top-selling book of 2023 by multiple book tracking publications and became affectionately known as “that octopus book.”
Production Team
The adaptation is being produced by Bryan Unkeless and Peter Craig from Night Owl, alongside David Levine of Anonymous Content. Executive producers include Alyssa Rodrigues of Night Owl, Tony Lipp from Anonymous Content, as well as Erika Hampson, and the novel’s author, Shelby Van Pelt.
Cast Member Highlights
Lewis Pullman recently featured in the adaptation of Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot and appeared alongside Josh Brolin in Outer Range and Tom Cruise in Top Gun: Maverick. He is set to appear in Marvel’s Thunderbolts, which releases on May 2, and is represented by CAA and Anonymous Content.
Colm Meaney, notable for his roles in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, is currently featured in the European crime series Safe Harbor and is represented by IAG, Liebman Entertainment, and Brecheen Feldman.
Joan Chen was seen in the FX series A Murder at the End of the World and will be appearing in the remake of The Wedding Banquet, coming on April 18. She is represented by Anonymous Content.
Kathy Baker, an Emmy, Golden Globe, and SAG Award recipient, is represented by Paradigm and Berwick & Kovacik, while Sofia Black D’Elia is backed by CAA and Brookside Artist Management. Director Olivia Newman is represented by WME and Untitled Entertainment, adding to the film’s strong creative team.