Woody Harrelson and Sam Rockwell starring in ‘The Cackling of the Dodos’

(Left) Presenter, Jason Bateman and Amanda Anka arrive for the live ABC Telecast of The 87th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre in Hollywood, CA on Sunday, February 22, 2015. Credit/Provider: Matt Petit / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S. (Center) Woody Harrelson at the 94th Oscars® at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, CA, on Sunday, March 27, 2022. Credit/Provider Michael Baker / A.M.P.A.S. Copyright ©A.M.P.A.S. (Right) Sam Rockwell presents a nominee for Oscar® for Actor in a Supporting Role during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Trae Patton / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

Preview:

Jason Bateman has found his next directing gig.
Woody Harrelson and Sam Rockwell will star in ‘The Cackling of the Dodos’.
Netflix is backing the movie.

Following his star turn in thriller series ‘Black Rabbit’ (not to mention his long established relationship with the streamer via ‘Ozark’, Netflix is staying in the Jason Bateman business.

The actor has locked in his next directorial effort with the company, signing on to make ‘The Cackling of the Dodos’.

And the odd-sounding screwball crime comedy drama (more on the story below) will see Woody Harrelson and Sam Rockwell in the lead roles.

Related Article: Jason Bateman on to Direct Tom Holland in Legal Thriller ‘The Partner’

What’s the story of ‘The Cackling of the Dodos’?

Woody Harrelson stars as Duncan Allcock in 'Last Breath', a Focus Features release. Photo: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2024 Focus Features LLC.

To be based on an original script by ‘Kingdomtide novelist Rye Curtis, ‘The Cackling of the Dodos’ follows George, small-town farmer who has a truly terrible day when he discovers a corpse chilling out in a grain bin and he is unwittingly forced into a chaotic, sloppy cover-up by his boss, Denny.

We’d assume Rockwell will be George, while Harrelson will take on Denny.

What else is Jason Bateman involved with?

Currently on screen in HBO series ‘DTF St. Louis’, Bateman is also attached to direct John Grisham adaptation ‘The Partner’ and is involved as filmmaker/producer to a variety of other projects, including a new take on ‘Clue’.

Jason Bateman attends Netflix’s ‘Black Rabbit’ NY Premiere and After Party at SVA Theater on September 16, 2025 in New York City. Photo by Jason Mendez/Getty Images for Netflix.