According to IMDb.com, a film adaptation is currently in the works for Sylvia Plath’s classic novel, The Bell Jar. One of my personal favorites, I was thrilled to see that the film was in pre-production. Though, the release date is currently listed as 2008, which gives it a very limited amount of time to be made, and it doesn’t seem like it’s coming very far along. The only listed cast member is Julia Stiles, who is to play the Esther Greenwood, the mentally unstable protagonist who’s own descent into depression is said to somewhat mirror Plath’s.

The selection of Stiles to play Greenwood is being heavily debated by fans of the book. On the discussion boards of IMDb, many have expressed their aversion to the decision by saying “I have yet to see a good Julia Stiles performance” and “I really don't want to see Julia Stiles in this film... Thinking about it, I just don't want to see this film. I'm scared it will ruin a beautiful book.” (Fun fact: Stiles is actually reading The Bell Jar in the movie 10 Things I hate About You). Personally, Stiles wouldn’t have been my first choice, though I don’t think it’s a horrible one either. I don’t think her body type is right for the role. Esther is described as being tall and boyishly thin, Stiles, while tall, has a very lean, almost thick build. She’s certainly not elegant, which I feel is an important underlying quality of Esther. Though, I’d always thought that Maggie Gyllenhaal, who actually does the voice on the audio book, would be perfect for the part. For her to volunteer to take on the voice of Esther, she must be a fan of the book and be passionate about the character. Claire Danes may even be suitable for the roll. I’ve always thought that she had a similar face to a young Plath, and she totally pulled off angst in "My So-Called Life."