The Battle Against Corporate Power: John Lee Hancock’s ‘Monsanto’ Takes the Spotlight in Cannes

John Lee Hancock, the director of The Blind Side and Saving Mr. Banks, has cast Glen Powell, Anthony Mackie, and Laura Dern for his upcoming drama film Monsanto. The movie will be presented to Cannes buyers by Rocket Science and CAA Media Finance. Powell will play Brent Wisner, a young attorney who takes on the case of Dewayne “Lee” Johnson (Mackie) against Monsanto after he developed cancer from using the company’s weed killer. Laura Dern will portray Dr. Melinda Rogers, the chief toxicologist of Monsanto, who testifies during the trial that their product is safe.

The script for the film was developed in association with Zurich Avenue and written by Michael Wisner, Alexandra Duparc, Ned Benson, and Hancock himself. Producers include Moritz Borman, Eric Kopeloff, Philip Schulz-Deyle, Jon Levin, Adam McKay from HyperObject Industries and Kevin Messick are also on board. Rocket Science will handle international sales while CAA Media Finance will manage US rights.

Based on a true story of Dewayne “Lee” Johnson’s court case against Monsanto after being diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. The film centers around Johnson’s fight for justice against one of the world’s largest corporations in a gripping legal drama that highlights the importance of truth and accountability in today’s world. Hancock expressed his interest in telling this David vs Goliath story due to its dramatic nature and its relevance to current social issues surrounding corporate power and environmental health. With a talented cast including Powell known for his roles in Anyone But You and Richard Linklater’s Hit Man; Mackie known for his roles in The Hurt Locker and The Banker; and Dern known for her extensive credits including Marriage Story