While The Bell Jar deals with complex and serious issues - including self-harm, mental illness, and sexism - there are many instances of dark comedy within the narrative, which Kirsten is reportedly keen to explore in her movie.

In fact, last year - without giving away the title of the book – Kirsten told IndieWire that she was working on adapting a well-read book for the silver screen “in a funny way”.

She said: “It’s going to be a dark comedy and I already have my actress —I’ve wanted to direct for a long time. It’s based on a book, but… it really could make it any way you [wanted].

“It’s the kind of book that — it could be so, so didactic and bad or you could really make a life of something [from it]. So you really need to make your own scenes up.”

Deadline reports that Dakota Fanning, who has consistently wowed audiences with her acting abilities from a very young age, is set to take on the role of Esther Greenwood.

Kirsten Dunst to direct Dakota Fanning in cinema adaptation of The Bell Jar