Emmy-Winning Star Spotted Filming In North Jersey

PASSAIC COUNTY, NJ — A familiar face was recently spotted filming his newest project in Passaic County.

Jason Bateman, known for his roles in "Arrested Development," "Ozark," and several other television and film productions, took the time to snap a photo with police in Ringwood while on set on Tuesday.

"Yesterday, Ptl. Martocci and Ptl. Leonard assisted with traffic control for a film crew working in town. It was a unique experience for our officers, who even got the chance to chat with Director Jason Bateman and snap a quick photo," a social media post read. "We love seeing Ringwood recognized for the amazing community that it is and look forward to seeing our town featured on the big screen!"

While authorities did not specify what project Bateman was working on, outlets report that he's in the process of filming a Netflix movie called "The Cackling of the Dodos."

The dark crime-comedy stars Sam Rockwell and Woody Harrelson and centers around a small-time farmer who discovers a dead body in his grain bin. Criminally comedic hijinks ensue.

This would be the latest of several collaborations between the streaming giant and Bateman, some including "Carry-On," "Black Rabbit," and "Ozark," which earned 45 Emmys during its four-season run.

While no specific release date has been announced for "Cackling of the Dodos," IMDb reports that the project will release on Netflix in 2027 or 2028.

‘Hollywood East’

With more and more movies and shows being filmed in New Jersey, by big production companies nonetheless, the area is shaping up to be a lucrative one for filmmakers.

With Netflix’s $848 million film studio opening in Monmouth County, the streaming giant has already planted its feet in the Garden State.

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Between “Happy Gilmore 2” and the upcoming Netflix comedy “Little Brother,” Netflix joins several other production companies in using New Jersey as a backdrop for their film.

See some recent movies and shows filmed in North Jersey below:

• “Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere”: Jeremy Allen White stars as the NJ rock n’ roll legend. Filmed in Rockaway, Denville, Chatham, and Harding, among other NJ locations.
• "Disclosure Day": Steven Spielberg's newest sci-fi, alien thriller was shot in Morris Township and Montville. It's hitting theaters on June 12.
• “Song Sung Blue”: Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson portray the real-life Neil Diamond tribute band “Lightning and Thunder.” Filmed in Denville and St. Elizabeth’s University in Morristown.
• “The Home”: Pete Davidson starred in this horror/thriller about a nursing home that isn’t what it seems. Filmed at Saint Francis Residential Community in Denville.
• “Crystal Lake”: Produced by A24, this prequel series to “Friday the 13th” was filmed in Blairstown, Warren County, where the original movie was filmed. Starring Linda Cardellini and Callum Vinson, the show is set to stream on Peacock in 2026.
• “Little Brother”: This Netflix comedy starring John Cena and Eric Andre was filmed in Madison Borough, among other NJ locations. The movie’s release date is TBD.
• “Happy Gilmore 2”: Filmed in Bedminster, Belleville, Bloomfield, Clifton, Closter, Demarest, Florham Park, Washington Township, and other NJ locations, this Adam Sandler sequel was Netflix’s number one movie in more than 60 countries after its opening weekend.
• “A Complete Unknown”: The Oscar-nominated Bob Dylan biopic was filmed in several Bergen County locations, as well as Hoboken. Released in 2024, the movie is available on streaming services.

To learn more about filmmaking in New Jersey, visit the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission’s website here.

More from Patch:

• This Morris Co. Town Wants To Be In The Movies As ‘Hollywood East’ Grows
• Netflix Now Hiring For Its First 2 Movie Industry Jobs At Fort Monmouth
• 2 Monmouth County Towns Newly Certified To Host Film & TV Productions