Jason Bateman Returns to Directing with Netflix Crime Comedy After 11 Years

Jason Bateman is returning to film directing after an 11-year break. Netflix confirmed he will helm The Cackling of the Dodos.

Project details

The Cackling of the Dodos will star Sam Rockwell and Woody Harrelson. Rye Curtis wrote the screenplay.

The story follows a farmer and his boss. They become entangled in a shocking cover-up after a corpse is found in a grain bin.

Casting notes

Sam Rockwell joins the project as one of the leads. He is an award-winning actor with a wide-ranging filmography.

Woody Harrelson will play the other lead. Both actors have appeared in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.

Actors’ highlights

• Sam Rockwell earned major awards recognition for his role in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.
• Woody Harrelson built his career on television and film, beginning with a breakout role on Cheers.

Bateman’s return to directing

This marks Jason Bateman’s first feature directorial effort in 11 years. He last directed The Family Fang in 2015.

Bateman returns to directing with Netflix in a crime comedy after a long hiatus. The new film reunites him with high-profile talent.

Netflix history and recent work

Bateman has a long relationship with Netflix. He starred in Arrested Development, which Netflix revived after its network cancellation.

He also led Ozark for four seasons. That role brought him Golden Globe and Emmy nominations.

Directing background

Bateman has directed two previous features and many television episodes. His TV work includes episodes of Arrested Development and Ozark.

His direction on Ozark earned him an Emmy for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series.

Other credits and current projects

As an actor, Bateman’s film credits include Dodgeball, Juno, Tropic Thunder, and Horrible Bosses. He also appeared in Zootopia and Office Christmas Party.

He currently appears opposite David Harbour and Linda Cardellini in the HBO comedy DTF St. Louis. That series holds an 88% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Release status and production

Netflix has not announced a release date for The Cackling of the Dodos. Production timelines remain unconfirmed.

Further casting and crew details should follow as the studio sets a schedule.

Brief biography

Jason Bateman was born January 14, 1969, in Rye, New York. He has worked extensively as an actor, director, and producer.