Jonathan Bailey has built a career out of refusing to stay in one theatrical lane. He has been the rakish Anthony Bridgerton, the emotionally bruised Tim Laughlin in Fellow Travelers, the swaggering Fiyero in Wicked, and the unexpectedly earnest Dr. Henry Loomis in Jurassic World Rebirth. Even before Hollywood turned him into a global name, Bailey was moving between Shakespeare, musical theatre, comedy and prestige television, with his Olivier-winning turn in Company proving that the stage remained a particularly sharp weapon in his arsenal.

There is, however, something rather different about his latest role, because this time the drama is already written in the history books.

Jonathan Bailey has officially closed the case, at least for now. The actor announced the wrap on Instagram, sharing a photograph with director John Lee Hancock and writing:

“With the brilliant John Lee Hancock. Today is a wrap on his film about the Johnson v. Monsanto trial. An incredible cast and crew. A vital story. Coming 2027.”

The timing of the post is notable because the project moved remarkably quickly once Bailey came aboard. The film was first announced in May 2024 with Glen Powell, Anthony Mackie and Laura Dern attached, with Hancock directing and co-writing. By April 2026, Powell and Mackie had departed, while Bailey stepped into the role of attorney Brent Wisner and LaKeith Stanfield joined as Dewayne “Lee” Johnson. 

Production subsequently headed to Bavaria, with principal photography beginning in June. Netflix confirmed the expanded ensemble in July, including Greg Kinnear, David Duchovny, Melonie Diaz, Julia McDermott, Bilal Hasna and Elizabeth McGovern.

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And that casting overhaul gives the movie an interesting behind-the-scenes story of its own.

John Lee Hancock’s film dramatizes the landmark Johnson v. Monsanto case, following young attorney Brent Wisner as he takes on Monsanto on behalf of Johnson, a high school groundskeeper who had used Roundup and later developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The case became the first Roundup cancer lawsuit to reach trial, culminating in a jury verdict that awarded Johnson $289 million, later reduced by the court. The lawsuit subsequently became a major chapter in the sprawling legal battle surrounding Roundup. 

That material sits squarely within Hancock’s wheelhouse. The filmmaker has previously gravitated toward true stories where ordinary people collide with enormous institutions, from The Blind Side to Saving Mr. Banks and The Founder. Here, he is working with a screenplay credited to Hancock, Michael Wisner, Alexandra Duparc and Ned Benson, with Netflix handling distribution. The film does not yet have a specific release date, but Jonathan Bailey has confirmed a 2027 arrival. 

For Bailey, it is another intriguing pivot after Wicked, Jurassic World Rebirth and Bridgerton. This time there are no Regency ballrooms or dinosaur paddocks, just a courtroom, a complicated legal battle and a story with consequences far beyond the closing credits.

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What do you think of Jonathan Bailey taking on this real-life courtroom drama? Share your thoughts in the comments.