Jason Bateman to Direct Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell in ‘The Cackling of the Dodos’

Skip to main content

Cover Story

Queen of Cringe: Lisa Kudrow's Final 'Comeback'

March 18, 2026 12:27pm

Share on Facebook

Google Preferred

Share to Flipboard

Show additional share options

Share on LinkedIn

Share on Pinterest

Share on Reddit

Share on Tumblr

Share on Whats App

Send an Email

Print the Article

Post a Comment

Jason Bateman, Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell

Courtesy of Netflix; Mark Seliger; Michael Schwartz

Share on Facebook

Google Preferred

Share to Flipboard

Show additional share options

Share on LinkedIn

Share on Pinterest

Share on Reddit

Share on Tumblr

Share on Whats App

Send an Email

Print the Article

Post a Comment

Sam Rockwell and Woody Harrelson have signed on to star in The Cackling of the Dodos, a crime thriller that Jason Bateman will direct for Netflix.

The project was announced by Netflix’s head of film, Dan Lin, at the streaming giant’s presentation previewing its movie and television slate for the year.

Based on an original screenplay by novelist Rye Curtis (Kingdomtide), the story centers on small-town farmer George, who has a truly terrible day when he discovers a corpse chilling out in a grain bin, and is unwittingly forced into a chaotic, sloppy cover-up by his boss Denny.

'Nemesis' First Look Has Matthew Law, Y'Lan Noel Playing Cops and Robbers

Netflix's 'Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey' Sequel Series Reveals Chilling Trailer

Bateman is producing via his Aggregate film banner, alongside partner Michael Costigan.

The new feature project continues its relationship with Netflix. He memorably starred in Ozark, the streamer’s hit crime series that received 45 Emmy nominations over its four-season run. He starred as a villain in the airport thriller Carry On, which spent eight weeks in Netflix’s Global Top 10 list, and he starred and executive-produced the crime limited series Black Rabbit, for which he earned a SAG/AFTRA Actor Award nomination.

Rockwell currently stars in sci-fi adventure comedy Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die, directed by Gore Verbinski and also appeared in HBO’s acclaimed comedy White Lotus.

Harrelson’s recent credits include appearances in Ella McCay, the ensemble comedy by James L. Brooks released last year, and reprising his role as a shady magician in Now You See Me: Now You Don’t.

Bateman is repped by CAA and Lighthouse Management & Media, Rockwell by Gersh and Untitled Entertainment and Harrelson by Ziffren Brittenham.

THR Newsletters

Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day

Werner Herzog

Cannes 2026: The Films Most Likely to Make the Cut

SXSW Reviews

‘Summer 2000: The X-Cetra Story’ Review: Winning Doc Celebrates Adolescent Girlhood, in All Its Glitter-Sprinkled Complexity

international

Inside Wagner: The Documentary That Chased the World’s Most Feared Mercenary Army

Sarah Pidgeon

Sarah Pidgeon in Talks for ‘Honeymoon With Harry’ at Amazon MGM Studios

international

CPH:DOX Debates Funding Cuts, Politics and Group Therapy

Lilo and Stitch

‘Lilo & Stitch 2,’ ‘Incredibles 3’ Set for Summer 2028

The Hollywood Reporter is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2026 The Hollywood Reporter, LLC.

The Hollywood Reporter

is a registered trademark of The Hollywood Reporter, LLC.

Powered by WordPress.com VIP