Sally Field is in discussions to star in “ Remarkably Bright Creatures ,” a film adaptation of the novel by Shelby Van Pelt.

Netflix has acquired the project, which is in early stages of development. Olivia Newman, the filmmaker of last summer’s sleeper hit “Where the Crawdads Sing,” is directing the movie and co-writing the screenplay with John Whittington (“Sonic the Hedgehog 2,” “The Lego Batman Movie”).

Netflix declined to comment.

“Remarkably Bright Creatures,” Van Pelt’s debut novel, was released in 2022 and became a best-seller in 2023. The story follows a lonely widow’s unlikely friendship with a giant octopus. After Tova Sullivan’s husband died, she begins working the night shift as a janitor at a local aquarium. At work, she becomes acquainted with an eight tentacled animal named Marcellus, who helps Tova uncover the truth about her son’s disappearance at sea 30 years ago.

Fields, a two-time Oscar winner for “Norma Rae” and “Places in the Heart,” was most recently seen in “80 for Brady,” a comedic film about a group of octogenarian best friends whose obsession with Tom Brady leads them to the Super Bowl. Her extensive film credits include “Mrs. Doubtfire,” “Forrest Gump,” “Steel Magnolia,” “Smokey and the Bandit” and “Lincoln.”

David Levine of Anonymous Content is producing “Remarkably Bright Creatures” alongside Bryan Unkeless (“I, Tonya”) and Peter Craig (Field's son, known for “Top Gun: Maverick” and “The Batman”). Executive producers include Tony Lipp and Alyssa Rodrigues of Anonymous Content.

The Hollywood Reporter reported the news about the film adaptation.