Jason Bateman’s Netflix Movie Just Nabbed A White Lotus Star And Four More Big Names

Jason Bateman is getting back behind the camera for Netflix, and he’s bringing a frankly impressive pile of acting talent with him. If you’ve spotted the title 'The Cackling of the Dodos' floating about and thought 'what on earth is that?', well, here’s the lowdown—because this cast is now stacked.

Who’s just joined Bateman’s new Netflix thing?

The latest word, according to Deadline, is that five fresh faces have jumped on board. If you like your telly, you’ll recognise some of these:

• Fred Hechinger (recently seen in 'The White Lotus' and popping up this year in 'Gladiator 2' and 'Kraven the Hunter')
• Michael McKean (hard to miss him from 'Better Call Saul'—he was Chuck McGill, turned in some proper good work and even got himself an Emmy nom for it)
• Esther McGregor (done the rounds in 'Babygirl', 'We Were Liars', and 'The Room Next Door')
• Jenn Lyon ('Dead Boy Detectives', amongst others—if you know, you know)
• Emy Coligado (last spotted living her best life in the 'Malcolm in the Middle' revival as Piama)

These lot are joining an already solid line-up: Sam Rockwell and Woody Harrelson, who are both properly A-list these days.

What’s the story this time?

Look, the plot isn’t exactly a laugh-a-minute, but it’s got that darkly comic vibe Bateman’s fond of. Fred Hechinger is reportedly in a key role alongside Rockwell and Harrelson, and those three are taking centre stage as the film’s main characters.

The plot? It's all set around George, an everyday farmer living in a tiny rural town whose life gets walloped off-course when he stumbles across a body in a grain bin.

That’s not even the worst of it: George’s boss, Denny, decides a sensible response is to launch into some chaotic, ill-thought-out cover-up. George—unluckily for him—goes along with it, presumably with everything getting more ridiculous as it all starts to unravel.

Behind the camera

Jason Bateman is running the show as director. The script comes from Rye Curtis—a new name for a lot of people, so one to watch, maybe.

Bateman’s producing as well, with Michael Costigan under the Aggregate Films banner (they’ve done some interesting stuff, so they know the ropes). Other producers include Elise Konialian for Untitled (not the most exciting company name, but there we are), Anna Schwartz and Jeremy Plager for Children at Play, and Mark Berger. Harrelson, Rockwell, Erica Kay, Ara Keshishian, and Petr Jakl are all on board as executive producers, which, if anything, just shows how many people you apparently need to make a film these days.

There’s no release date for 'The Cackling of the Dodos' at the minute—Netflix haven’t said when we’re likely to see it.

As for which actor’s playing who, no details yet, and they’re being very cagey about it, so expect to find out later probably by accident.