Duke Johnson to Direct and Produce 'Lincoln in the Bardo' Adaptation

The Oscar-nominated filmmaker will bring George Saunders' award-winning novel to the screen through a mix of live-action and stop-motion animation.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Oscar-nominated director Duke Johnson has been tapped to produce and direct a feature film adaptation of George Saunders' 2017 Booker Prize-winning novel "Lincoln in the Bardo." The project, acquired by Starburns Industries, will blend live-action and stop-motion animation to explore one of the most intimate moments in Abraham Lincoln's life following the death of his young son. Saunders will adapt the screenplay and serve as an executive producer.

Why it matters

This adaptation of Saunders' acclaimed novel, which blends historical figures with imagined characters, represents an ambitious and visually innovative approach to bringing the story's themes of love, empathy, and grief to the screen. Johnson's involvement as director and producer, given his acclaimed work on films like "Anomalisa," suggests the project is in capable hands.

The details

Starburns Industries recently acquired the rights to "Lincoln in the Bardo" from author George Saunders, who will adapt the screenplay and serve as an executive producer. The film will employ a mix of live-action and stop-motion animation to tell the story of Abraham Lincoln's relationship with his recently deceased 11-year-old son. The ensemble cast of characters, both living and dead, historical and imagined, will explore themes of love and human connection in the face of unimaginable grief.

  • In 2017, George Saunders' novel "Lincoln in the Bardo" won the Booker Prize.
  • In 2025, Duke Johnson directed and co-wrote the live-action psychological thriller "The Actor."

The players

Duke Johnson

An Oscar-nominated filmmaker who is set to produce and direct the feature adaptation of "Lincoln in the Bardo." He is best known for directing the animated film "Anomalisa" alongside Charlie Kaufman.

George Saunders

The author of the New York Times best-selling and Booker Prize-winning novel "Lincoln in the Bardo." He has written 13 novels, with his latest being "Vigil," and his story collections "Pastoralia" and "Tenth of December" have been widely acclaimed.

Starburns Industries

The studio that recently acquired the rights to "Lincoln in the Bardo" and will produce the feature film adaptation, with Paul Young and Devon Young Rabinowitz producing and Aaron Mitchell executive producing.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Duke came to me with a radical, insightful vision of the film that perfectly captured the spirit of the book. I was blown away and inspired by his passion for the project.”

— George Saunders

The takeaway

This adaptation of George Saunders' acclaimed novel "Lincoln in the Bardo" represents an ambitious and visually innovative approach to exploring themes of love, empathy, and grief through the lens of a pivotal moment in Abraham Lincoln's life. The involvement of Oscar-nominated director Duke Johnson suggests the project is in capable hands and poised to bring the book's unique blend of history and imagination to the screen.