Jennifer Kent to Direct Sci-Fi Adaptation “The Girl Who Was Plugged In”

Filmmaker Jennifer Kent, noted for *The Babadook* and *The Nightingale*, will direct a feature titled *The Girl Who Was Plugged In*. Sophie Thatcher leads in roles as the disfigured P. Burke and the avatar Delphi. Kent also wrote the screenplay, adapting James Tiptree Jr.’s 1973 novella.

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James Tiptree Jr., the pen name of Alice B. Sheldon, published the novella in 1973; it won the 1974 Hugo Award for Best Novella. The story follows a woman who operates a beautiful but brainless body for a corporation, exploring themes of identity, corporate control, and alienation—issues echoed in today’s digital culture.

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Producers include Cody Greenwood (Rush Films), Brian Kavanaugh-Jones and Fred Berger (Range Media Partners), Brandon Millan and Sam Wasson (Felix Farmer Productions), and Hualien Media International, with producers Terris Ko and Dani Sommerhauser (Range). Rights are represented by CAA Media Finance and Range Select; Goodfellas will handle international sales at Cannes. Literary rights were negotiated by Jon Levin (Sustainable Imagination) and Christine Cohen (Virginia Kidd Literary Agency) with Matt Saver. Kent is represented by CAA and Exile Entertainment; Thatcher by CAA, Echo Lake Entertainment, imPRint, and Jackoway Austen.

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Principal photography is scheduled for mid-November 2026 in Australia. The film will debut at the Cannes market, where Goodfellas and CAA Media Finance aim to secure global distribution, leveraging the story’s contemporary relevance.

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Kent called the project urgent, noting the novella’s themes “are now landing with a searing relevance.” She expressed excitement about re-teaming with Vincent Maraval and Goodfellas and praised assembled talent. Kavanaugh-Jones highlighted alignment, describing Kent as a “singular filmmaker” whose vision elevates material and commending Goodfellas as curators of artistic work.

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No criticism or opposition to the film’s development appears in the available sources.

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• “I have never felt a more urgent need to make a film as much as I have with The Girl Who Was Plugged In. Even though the original story was published over 50 years ago, its themes are now landing with a searing relevance, as if it was just written,” — Jennifer Kent, Director

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• “I am so excited to be reteaming with Vincent Maraval and Goodfellas, who I worked with on Babadook,” — Jennifer Kent, Director

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• “I’m surrounded by a highly gifted team, and we cannot wait to bring this relevant story to audiences.” — Jennifer Kent, Director

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• “Jennifer is a singular filmmaker, who brings a distinct, cinematic vision that elevates the material, while Goodfellas act as true curators – champions of great art and the artists behind it.” — Brian Kavanaugh-Jones, Co-President, Range Media Partners

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Filming begins in Australia in November 2026, followed by a Cannes market pitch. Further release plans will depend on distribution agreements secured after the market.

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