Jason Bateman, Sam Rockwell Join Netflix's 'Cackling of the Dodos'

Mar 18, 2026 12:27pm PT Jason Bateman Directing Sam Rockwell and Woody Harrelson in Netflix’s ‘The Cackling of the Dodos’ By Brent Lang Plus Icon Brent Lang Executive Editor BrentALang Latest Val Kilmer Resurrected by AI to Star in ‘As Deep as the Grave’ Movie — First Look (EXCLUSIVE) 5 hours ago Warner Bros. Basks in ‘One Battle After Another’ and ‘Sinners’ Oscar Wins, but a Paramount Sale May Mean the End of Its Auteur-Friendly Reputation 1 day ago Debra Granik’s 5-Part Documentary ‘Conbody VS Everybody’ Premiering on Criterion Channel (EXCLUSIVE) 1 day ago See All Getty Jason Bateman, who has explored the darker side of humanity in “Black Rabbit” and “Ozark,” will return to Netflix to direct “The Cackling of the Dodos,” the story of a small-town farmer who discovers a corpse in a grain bin. Sam Rockwell will star in the off-beat film opposite Woody Harrelson, reuniting the pair from “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri,” the 2017 black comedy that won an Oscar for Rockwell and resulted in a nomination for Harrelson. Related Stories Zendaya Stuns ‘The Drama’ Premiere by Wearing the Same Dress From 2015 Oscars: 'It Felt Right' ‘Dune 3’ Trailer: Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya Are at War as Franchise Jumps 17 Years and Debuts Robert Pattinson's Shape-Shifting Villain According to the official logline, the title “may sound like it will cast a spotlight on the high-pitched vocals of the long-extinct, flightless birds, but the new film is anything but a nature documentary.” Instead, the discovery of a dead body sends the farmer into a “chaotic, sloppy cover-up” that’s mandated by his boss. The film is based on an original screenplay by novelist Rye Curtis, who wrote “Kingdomtide.” Popular on Variety Bateman’s received an Actor Award nomination from SAG/AFTRA for his work as a gambling addict in “Black Rabbit.” He also appeared in the the 2024 airport security thriller “Carry-On, “which spent eightweeks in Netflix’s Global Top 10 list. He was a major creative force behind “Ozark,” which received 45 Emmy nominations for Netflix over its four-season run. Bateman’s credits include “Arrested Development,” “Zootopia” and “Identity Thief.” Rockwell appeared on the most recent season of “The White Lotus,” giving one hell of a memorable monologue. He was nominated for an Oscar for portraying George W. Bush in “Vice” and also appeared in “The Bad Guys,” “Iron Man 2” and “Richard Jewell.” Harrelson was nominated for Oscars for his performances in “The People vs. Larry Flynt” and “The Messenger.” His credits include “Triangle of Sadness,” “Natural Born Killers” and “True Detective.” More to come … Jump to Comments ‘The Incomer’ Review: Quaint and Heartwarming Scottish Isle Fable Earns Its Heartwarming Finale ‘Extra Geography’ Review: Molly Manners’ Delightful Female Friendship Movie Shines With Original Wit and Disarming British Humor ‘Hold Onto Me’ Review: Heartfelt Drama From Cyprus Follows a Plucky Young Girl Smitten With Her Long-Absent, Scoundrel Father ‘How to Divorce During the War’ Review: A Droll, Perceptive Look at Handling Personal Crises Amid Political Ones ‘Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass’ Review: David Wain’s Antically Funny Satire of High-Concept Movies ‘Everybody to Kenmure Street’ Review: A Timely Document of Scottish Neighbors Standing Up to Immigration Raids JavaScript is required to load the comments. Loading comments...