Alec Baldwin Joins High-Profile Crime Project

Alec Baldwin is returning to a major feature film project, marking a significant update for the Oscar-nominated actor. He is set to star alongside Marvel veteran Chris Hemsworth, Taron Egerton, and Zazie Beetz in the upcoming crime thriller Kockroach.

The film is directed by Matt Ross, known for his work on Captain Fantastic. Production is scheduled to commence in April, with a production team led by Andrew Lazar and Christina Weiss Lurie. Domestic rights are being managed by CAA Media Finance and Range Select, while Black Bear is handling international sales.

A Kafka-Inspired Narrative

Kockroach is based on the novel by William Lashner, which serves as a reimagining of Franz Kafka’s 1915 novella, The Metamorphosis. The story follows a mysterious stranger who enters the New York criminal underworld.

The narrative tracks his evolution into a powerful crime boss in a city where influence is the ultimate currency. The screenplay was written by Jonathan Ames, with additional revisions provided by director Matt Ross.

Context Regarding Recent Legal Developments

This casting news follows a period of intense legal scrutiny for Baldwin. In 2021, while filming the Western Rust, a revolver handled by Baldwin discharged a live round, resulting in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injuries to director Joel Souza.

The incident led to extensive criminal and civil litigation. In 2024, a judge dismissed an involuntary manslaughter charge against Baldwin with prejudice after determining that police and prosecutors had withheld evidence regarding the ammunition. The film's armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to 18 months before being released under supervision.

In 2025, a lawsuit filed by Baldwin against New Mexico officials, alleging malicious prosecution, was dismissed due to a lack of follow-up, though the filing remains eligible to be refiled.