The Unexpected Barnyard Reunion: 5 Must-Know Details About Woody Harrelson And Glenn Close’s New Film Collaboration

The legendary paths of two cinematic heavyweights, Woody Harrelson and Glenn Close, have converged once again, but this time in a truly unexpected setting: the animated world of George Orwell’s classic, *Animal Farm*. As of December 2025, the most current and compelling news linking the two Oscar-nominated actors is their inclusion in the star-studded voice cast for Andy Serkis’s highly anticipated CG-animated adaptation, a project that promises a fresh, dark take on the dystopian fable.

This upcoming collaboration reignites interest in the decades-long careers of Harrelson and Close, who previously shared the stage for the 2003 play *Brooklyn Laundry*, proving their on-screen chemistry remains a potent force in Hollywood. Beyond the barnyard, both actors continue to dominate the industry with a slate of major solo projects scheduled through 2026, solidifying their status as two of the most enduring and versatile performers of their generation.

Complete Biography and Recent Projects Profile

To fully appreciate the gravity of their joint project, it is essential to look at the recent, high-profile work that has kept both Woody Harrelson and Glenn Close at the forefront of the industry.

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Woody Harrelson: A Maverick's Current Trajectory (2024–2026)

• Full Name: Woodrow Tracy Harrelson
• Born: July 23, 1961 (Age 64 as of 2025)
• Birthplace: Midland, Texas, U.S.
• Spouse: Laura Louie (m. 2008)
• Notable Awards: Primetime Emmy Award (for *Cheers*), multiple Academy Award nominations (for *The People vs. Larry Flynt*, *The Messenger*, *Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri*).
• Recent & Upcoming Projects (2024–2026):
  • *Fly Me to the Moon* (2024): A romantic comedy where he stars alongside Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum.
  • *Last Breath* (2025): A deep-sea diver thriller slated for a February 2025 release, where Harrelson takes a leading role.
  • *Animal Farm* (2025/2026): Voice role in Andy Serkis's animated adaptation.
  • Other Projects: *Girl From the North Country* (TBA), *Sailing* (TBA), and *The Dry Gulch* (TBA).

Glenn Close: The Unstoppable Icon's Recent Slate (2024–2026)

• Full Name: Glenn Close
• Born: March 19, 1947 (Age 78 as of 2025)
• Birthplace: Greenwich, Connecticut, U.S.
• Spouse: Divorced (most recently David Shaw); has one daughter, Annie Starke.
• Notable Awards: Three Primetime Emmy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, three Tony Awards, and sharing the record for the most Academy Award nominations for acting without a win (eight nominations).
• Recent & Upcoming Projects (2024–2026):
  • *The Summer Book* (2024): A drama film directed by Charlie McDowell.
  • *Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery* (2025): The third installment in the Rian Johnson-directed *Knives Out* series, where Close joins the all-star ensemble.
  • *Animal Farm* (2025/2026): Voice role as the human farmer, Freida Pilkington.
  • Television: A role in Ryan Murphy’s upcoming legal drama series *All’s Fair* alongside Halle Berry.

The Fresh Collaboration: Woody Harrelson and Glenn Close in *Animal Farm*

The most compelling and recent connection between Woody Harrelson and Glenn Close is their joint casting in the new film adaptation of *Animal Farm*. Directed by motion-capture master Andy Serkis, this project is a modern, CG-animated take on George Orwell’s 1945 novella, which satirizes the events leading up to the Russian Revolution and the subsequent Soviet era.

The film boasts a truly A-list voice cast, positioning it as one of the most anticipated animated features of the mid-2020s. The ensemble includes Seth Rogen as the pig Napoleon, Kieran Culkin as Squealer, and Steve Buscemi, placing Harrelson and Close in an elite creative circle.

Glenn Close’s Specific Role: Freida Pilkington

Glenn Close is confirmed to be voicing the character Freida Pilkington. This is a significant detail, as Pilkington is one of the human farmers in the story, representing the neighboring farm, Foxwood.

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In the original novella, Mr. Pilkington is portrayed as a gentleman farmer who is frequently at odds with the animals. Close's portrayal of "Freida Pilkington" suggests a gender-swapped or re-imagined version of this key human antagonist, a role perfectly suited to Close's ability to convey complex, often formidable, characters.

Woody Harrelson’s Character: An Unconfirmed Voice

While Woody Harrelson is officially listed as part of the *Animal Farm* voice cast, his specific character role remains unconfirmed in recent announcements.

Given the central animal roles (Napoleon, Snowball, Squealer) are already cast, speculation points to Harrelson potentially voicing a character like Boxer (the loyal, strong cart-horse), Benjamin (the cynical donkey), or one of the other key human figures, such as Mr. Jones. Harrelson’s distinct, gravelly voice and natural charisma would lend a unique texture to any of the farm's inhabitants, whether animal or human. The secrecy surrounding his role only heightens the anticipation for the film, which is tentatively slated for a 2025 or 2026 release.

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From Stage to Screen: A History of Shared Creative Space

While the *Animal Farm* project marks their most recent and high-profile screen collaboration, the professional relationship between Woody Harrelson and Glenn Close is not entirely new. Their history includes a notable, though lesser-known, project that predates their current animated venture.

The 2003 Stage Collaboration: *Brooklyn Laundry*

In 2003, the two stars shared the stage in the play *Brooklyn Laundry*, written and directed by James L. Brooks. The play, which also featured Laura Dern, was performed at the Coronet Theater.

This stage work provided a different kind of synergy than a voice-acting role, requiring intense, live interaction and chemistry. Although not a box office hit, the production demonstrated their mutual respect and willingness to collaborate on projects outside of major Hollywood studio films, cementing a professional bond that has now led to their reunion two decades later.

The Brief 90s Connection and LSI Keywords

Beyond their professional collaborations, there are historical whispers of a brief, personal connection between the two actors in the 1990s. While never confirmed as a major relationship, these rumors of a brief dating period add a layer of intriguing background to the current professional reunion.

This historical context, combined with their current projects, generates a host of related search entities, or LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) keywords, that define their shared space in the entertainment world: *Woody Harrelson and Glenn Close Animal Farm*, *Glenn Close Knives Out 3*, *Woody Harrelson Last Breath*, *Andy Serkis Animal Farm cast*, *Harrelson Close dating rumor*, and *Brooklyn Laundry play*.

The Future: A Dual-Track of Blockbusters and Prestige Projects

The collaboration on *Animal Farm* is a fascinating detour in their otherwise packed schedules. Their individual upcoming projects confirm that both Harrelson and Close are currently focused on a mix of major studio blockbusters and prestige, character-driven work.

Glenn Close’s role in Rian Johnson’s *Wake Up Dead Man* (the third *Knives Out* installment) places her firmly in one of the most successful mystery franchises of the decade. Her involvement in *The Summer Book* and the Ryan Murphy legal drama *All's Fair* showcases her commitment to diverse, high-quality roles across film and television.

Similarly, Woody Harrelson’s 2025 calendar is defined by the high-stakes thriller *Last Breath* and the romantic comedy *Fly Me to the Moon*. These projects, combined with his voice work in *Animal Farm*, highlight his remarkable range, easily transitioning from intense drama to light comedy and now, to an animated dystopian satire.

Ultimately, the news of Woody Harrelson and Glenn Close co-starring in *Animal Farm* is a testament to their enduring appeal and the gravitational pull they still exert on major Hollywood productions. Fans can anticipate a unique and powerful performance from this pair of legends when the film hits theaters, proving that two of the best in the business can still find fresh ways to share the screen.