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

Published: Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at 7:27 pm

Jason Bateman to Direct Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell in Netflix Crime Thriller

Hollywood is abuzz with news of a new crime thriller set to be directed by Jason Bateman for Netflix. The film, titled "The Cackling of the Dodos," will star Woody Harrelson and Sam Rockwell. The announcement was made by Netflix's head of film, Dan Lin, during a presentation showcasing the streaming giant's upcoming movie and television slate.

The screenplay is based on an original story by novelist Rye Curtis, known for "Kingdomtide." The plot revolves around George, a small-town farmer whose already difficult day takes a turn for the worse when he discovers a corpse in a grain bin. He is then reluctantly drawn into a cover-up orchestrated by his boss, Denny.

Bateman will produce the film through his Aggregate film banner, in partnership with Michael Costigan. This project marks another collaboration between Bateman and Netflix. He previously starred in the critically acclaimed crime series "Ozark," which garnered 45 Emmy nominations. Bateman also starred in the airport thriller "Carry On," which achieved significant success on Netflix's Global Top 10 list, and starred in and executive-produced the crime limited series "Black Rabbit."

Both Harrelson and Rockwell bring considerable experience to the project. Harrelson's recent work includes the ensemble comedy "Ella McCay" and a role in "Now You See Me: Now You Don't." Rockwell currently stars in the sci-fi adventure comedy "Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die" and has appeared in HBO's "White Lotus."

BNN's Perspective: This project seems like a promising addition to Netflix's crime thriller offerings. The combination of Bateman's directing experience, the established talent of Harrelson and Rockwell, and the intriguing premise suggests a film that could resonate with audiences. While the details are still emerging, the track record of those involved points to a potentially compelling and well-executed production.

Keywords: Jason Bateman, Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell, Netflix, The Cackling of the Dodos, crime thriller, Rye Curtis, Dan Lin, Ozark, Black Rabbit, Carry On, Aggregate, Michael Costigan.

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