Amazon MGM Studios has announced an exciting new project, “Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Movie,” a live-action comedy directed by Kyle Balda, known for his work on “Minions: The Rise of Gru.” The film boasts a star-studded cast led by Hugh Jackman and Emma Thompson, promising a unique and entertaining experience.
Hugh Jackman, famous for his role in “The Greatest Showman,” will play George Hardy, a shepherd who adores his sheep and raises them solely for their wool. Every night, George reads murder mysteries to his flock, unaware that they can understand him and even debate the stories among themselves. When George is found dead under suspicious circumstances, the sheep immediately recognize it as murder and decide to solve the case themselves. The local cop, Tim Derry, played by Nicholas Braun from “Succession,” has never cracked a serious case, leaving the sheep to take matters into their own hooves.
The ensemble cast also includes Nicholas Galitzine, Molly Gordon, Hong Chau, Tosin Cole, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Conleth Hill, and Mandeep Dhillon. This mix of established stars and rising talents adds to the film’s appeal, making it a highly anticipated release.
“Three Bags Full” is based on Leonie Swann’s international bestseller, adapted for the screen by Craig Mazin, known for his work on HBO’s “The Last of Us” and the Emmy-winning miniseries “Chernobyl.” The film is produced by Lindsay Doran and Working Title’s Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner, with Phil Lord, Chris Miller, Aditya Sood, and Tim Wellspring serving as executive producers. The movie is set to hit theaters worldwide on February 20, 2026.
Leonie Swann’s debut novel, originally published in Germany in 2005 under the title “Glennkill,” became an instant hit, topping bestseller charts and winning prestigious awards, including the Glauser Prize for crime fiction and a PETA Award. The book’s success has led to several more murder mysteries from Swann, making her a notable author in the genre.
Kyle Balda, making his live-action feature debut with “Three Bags Full,” is best known for his work on animated hits like “Minions: The Rise of Gru,” “Despicable Me 3,” and “Minions.” His transition to live-action is highly anticipated, given his track record in animation.
Craig Mazin, who adapted Swann’s novel for the big screen, has a diverse background in both drama and comedy. Before his success with “The Last of Us” and “Chernobyl,” Mazin was known for writing comedic features like “Scary Movie 3 & 4,” “The Hangover Part II & III,” and “Identity Thief.” His involvement in “Three Bags Full” adds a layer of credibility and excitement to the project.
The film’s cast is represented by top talent agencies, ensuring a high level of performance and production quality. Hugh Jackman is represented by WME and Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern; Emma Thompson by Hamilton Hodell and CAA; Nicholas Braun by UTA, Brillstein Entertainment Partners, and Jackoway Austen Tyerman; Nicholas Galitzine by Curtis Brown Group, WME, Anonymous Content, and Gang, Tyre, Ramer; Molly Gordon by WME and Gang, Tyre, Ramer; Hong Chau by CAA and Goodman, Genow, Schenkman; Tosin Cole by Curtis Brown, CAA, Sherpa, and Johnson, Shapiro, Slewett & Cole; Kobna Holdbrook-Smith by Independent Talent and ColorCreative; Conleth Hill by B-Side Management and Kipperman Management; Mandeep Dhillon by CAA and Conway Van Gelder; Craig Mazin by CAA and attorney Gretchen Rush; Leonie Swann by Agentur Poppenhusen, in cooperation with Created By and Paul & Peter Fritz AG; and Kyle Balda by UTA and Lichter, Grossman, Nichols.
“Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Movie” promises to be a unique and entertaining addition to Amazon MGM’s lineup. With a compelling story, a talented cast, and a proven director making his live-action debut, the film is poised to be a hit when it releases on February 20, 2026. Fans of murder mysteries and comedy alike will be eagerly awaiting this one-of-a-kind movie.