Jonathan Bailey Takes on Monsanto in Netflix’s $34 Million Legal Drama — And It Could Be the Most Important Film of 2027

There are courtroom dramas, and then there are courtroom dramas — the ones rooted in real-life battles so explosive, so morally urgent, that they linger long after the credits roll. Think Erin Brockovich, Spotlight, 12 Angry Men. Netflix’s upcoming film Monsanto is gunning for exactly that company. And with Jonathan Bailey, Anthony Mackie, and Laura Dern leading the charge, it might just get there.

Monsanto — Overview

The Real Story Behind the Film

Monsanto is based on one of the most consequential corporate legal battles of the modern era — the lawsuit filed by Dewayne “Lee” Johnson, a high school groundskeeper who sued the agricultural chemical giant Monsanto after developing non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which he attributed to repeated exposure to their flagship product Roundup. The case went to trial and resulted in a landmark verdict, sending shockwaves through the agricultural and chemical industry worldwide.

It’s the kind of David-versus-Goliath story that cinema was made for.

The Plot

Jonathan Bailey plays Brent Wisner, a young, inexperienced attorney who takes on the seemingly impossible case against one of America’s most powerful corporations on behalf of Johnson. Anthony Mackie portrays Dewayne “Lee” Johnson himself — the groundskeeper at the heart of it all. Laura Dern steps in as Dr. Melinda Rogers, Monsanto’s chief toxicologist, who testifies under oath that Roundup is safe. Three phenomenal actors, three very different moral positions. The tension practically writes itself.

The Cast — Why This Lineup Matters

Jonathan Bailey — fresh off his Emmy-winning performance in Fellow Travelers and his globally beloved role as Anthony Bridgerton — steps into the shoes originally meant for Glen Powell, who departed due to scheduling conflicts. Bailey is arguably one of the most compelling actors of his generation, and a grounded legal drama is exactly the kind of role that could cement his transition to leading-man status beyond the period drama world.

Anthony Mackie, Marvel’s Captain America and a Netflix veteran (The Electric State, Outside the Wire), brings the emotional weight of a real man fighting for his life against overwhelming institutional power.

Laura Dern, an Academy Award winner for Marriage Story, plays the film’s most morally complex character — a scientist whose certainty about corporate safety data will be put under intense scrutiny.

Director John Lee Hancock brings serious pedigree to the project, and the involvement of Adam McKay (The Big Short) as producer signals this film is not shy about its ambitions.

For more updates on the most anticipated Netflix films of 2027, stay tuned to TechnoSports.

Production Update — Filming in Bavaria

As of April 2026, production is officially moving forward, with filming set to begin in Bavaria, Germany. The regional film fund FFF Bayern contributed 500,000 euros to support the international co-production. Academy Award-nominated cinematographer John Schwartzman (Seabiscuit, Jurassic World) has also joined the project — a strong indication of the visual ambition behind the film.

Given a mid-2026 filming start and the scope of a courtroom drama, a 2027 Netflix release is the most realistic expectation.

FAQs