Behind the Scenes with Olivia Newman — “Remarkably Bright Creatures” Netflix Adaptation
Snaffled up for adaptation at the manuscript stage of author Shelby van Pelt’s New York Times Best Seller, Remarkably Bright Creatures is a touching portrayal of home, friendship, family, loss, grief, and finding a way to move forward when you’re stuck. It stars Marcellus, a Pacific octopus trapped in an aquarium (voiced by Alfred Molina), Sally Field as Tova the aquarium’s fastidious cleaner and Lewis Pullman as the rudderless Cameron. It was written by Olivia Newman (Where The Crawdads Sing) and John Whittington (Sonic the Hedgehog 3). Newman also directs. Olivia spent some time with Creative Screenwriting Magazine to discuss her intention for the film.
“The title evokes this joy and wonder. It’s a remarkably bright creature that somebody is discovering is active,” Newman says. The curmudgeonly Marcellus is trapped in an aquarium, but is longing to return to his natural habitat in the ocean where his soul and memories belong. Olivia lost her home in the 2025 Eaton fires of California, so they share this experience of loss.
“It’s a grief like none I’ve ever experienced before because you don’t realize, until you lose everything you’ve ever owned, what those objects that you were surrounded by for so many years, actually mean,” Olivia reflects.
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