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Chris Hemsworth has wrapped filming on the crime-thriller Kockroach in Australia alongside Taron Egerton, marking the completion of a project the actor called “possibly the most fun I’ve had on a set.” The film, directed by Matt Ross and based on William Lashner‘s novel, transforms the classic tale of Kafka’s Metamorphosis into a dark New York crime saga with supernatural elements.
Quick Facts
- Filming wrapped in Australia after production completed in Sydney
- Director Matt Ross helms the adaptation of William Lashner’s novel
- Supporting cast includes Zazie Beetz, Alec Baldwin, Rachel Sennott, and Brian Geraghty
- Screenplay by Jonathan Ames with revisions by Ross; based on a Kafka reimagining
A Supernatural Crime Story Takes Shape
The film follows a mysterious stranger who infiltrates New York’s criminal underworld, transforming himself into a larger-than-life crime boss in a city where power reigns supreme. At its core, Kockroach reimagines Franz Kafka‘s Metamorphosis as a genre-bending crime drama. According to reports, the story features a “fun and gory supernatural element” in which Hemsworth‘s character morphs from a cockroach into a gangster—a wild twist on the philosophical novella that upends expectations for the genre.
Jonathan Ames, known for his work on You Were Never Really Here, penned the screenplay, with Ross providing revisions. The director, celebrated for Captain Fantastic, brings his distinctive sensibility to a story that blends crime drama with dark comedy and the surreal. Producers Andrew Lazar (American Sniper) and Christina Weiss Lurie (Persuasion) shepherded the project, with Black Bear handling international rights and CAA Media Finance and Range Select co-repping domestic distribution.
Chris Hemsworth wraps crime-thriller ‘Kockroach’ with Taron Egerton in Australia
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From Script to Screen in Sydney
Production took place across Sydney, Australia, with support from Screen NSW’s Made in NSW Fund and the Australian Government’s Location Offset. The shoot brought together a powerhouse ensemble: Hemsworth and Egerton as the central figures, alongside seasoned performers Zazie Beetz, Alec Baldwin, Rachel Sennott, and Brian Geraghty. On May 31, 2026, Hemsworth announced the wrap on social media, writing: “That’s a wrap on our film Kockroach. Quite possibly the most fun I’ve had on a set. Amazing cast and crew and one hell of a wild script!” His enthusiasm underscored the collaborative energy that defined the production.
Sources
- Deadline — First look images, cast, director, producer details, and Hemsworth’s wrap statement
- Daily Telegraph Sydney — Filming location in Sydney and Hemsworth’s production comments
- Screen NSW — Official production support and filming in New South Wales
- Wikipedia — Film adaptation details and novel source material by William Lashner
