Oscar winner Laura Dern (Marriage Story), Glen Powell (Top Gun: Maverick), and Anthony Mackie (Twisted Metal) have signed on to star in Monsanto, based on a true story and directed by John Lee Hancock (The Blind Side). Hancock co-wrote the screenplay with Michael Wisner, Alexandra Duparc, and Ned Benson.
“Monsanto tells the true story of young, untried attorney Brent Wisner (Powell) who takes on a seemingly insurmountable case against the giant U.S. chemical company Monsanto on behalf of Dewayne ‘Lee’ Johnson (Mackie) who used Monsanto’s best-known product Roundup, a wildly financially successful weed and grass pesticide killer, as part of his job as a high school groundskeeper,” reads Rocket Science’s synopsis. “During the trial, Dr Melinda Rogers (Dern), the chief toxicologist of the Monsanto Company, testifies with certainty that Roundup is safe.”
Moritz Borman, Eric Kopeloff, Philip Schulz-Deyle, Jon Levin, and HyperObject Industries’ Adam McKay and Kevin Messick are on board as producers.
“I was drawn to this contemporary David vs. Goliath true story because I found it dramatic, moving, quite funny and of critical importance in today’s world,” said director Hancock. “My ambitions are to deliver a smart, thoughtful, and commercial legal drama that takes the audience on a human journey.”
Rocket Science is launching international sales at Cannes, with CAA Media Finance handling the film’s domestic rights.
“I’ve always been fascinated by true stories of ordinary people against extraordinary odds. This story encapsulates that spirit with a critical issue that affects us all. And it’s a privilege to bring it to audiences with an exceptional filmmaker and powerful cast,” explained Glen Powell, recently seen in the romantic comedy Anyone But You with Sydney Sweeney. Next up is Hit Man which he produced and co-wrote with Richard Linklater.
Laura Dern and writer/director Hancock previously worked together on The Founder and A Perfect World. “I’ve loved my collaborations with John Lee and look forward to working with him again,” said Dern. “There couldn’t be a more vital story to be a part of.”
And producer McKay added: “These days stories about the ‘little guy’ taking on huge institutions seem few and far between. Both in real life and on the big screen. So, when a story as riveting and inspiring as this one shows up on our desks we get excited. Why? Because people love and need these movies. They always have and always will. Erin Brockovich, Silkwood, It’s a Wonderful Life, Spotlight, 12 Angry Men, Moneyball, Norma Rae… I legitimately think I can list 200 wildly successful and beloved films about real people standing up against overwhelming odds with only fairness and truth on their side. So, let’s make number 201.””