The project to be helmed by John Hay, also features Hugh Bonneville as novelist Roald Dahl, reported Variety.
The film is based on Stephen Michael Shearers novel "An Unquiet Life" and Hay will also adapt the script along with David Logan.
The story follows Dahl's struggles to write some of his most famous works and Neal's return to acting with "Hud" for which she won an Academy Award for the Best Actress in a Leading Role.
The project is being financed and co-produced by Goldcrest Films, which will also oversee the distribution and and global sales.