'Arrested Development' creator Mitch Hurwitz talks bringing the series back to TV
Proposed 'mini-season' would serve as lead-up to hypothetical feature film
UPDATE (9:00 PM): Deadline is now reporting that 20th Century Fox TV has been in talks with both Showtime and Netflix to potentially air the proposed new episodes. We'll keep you abreast of further news as it develops.
ORIGINAL STORY:
Fans of "Arrested Development" received a ray of hope at a cast and crew reunion of the show in New York today, when series creator Mitch Hurwitz teased the possibility of airing an all-new nine or ten-episode "mini-season" that would serve as a lead-up to the long-rumored feature film. Of course, that hypothetical scenario will only be possible if the film itself actually comes to fruition, which remains undetermined at this point.
According to TVLine, Hurwitz made the announcement during a reunion panel at The New Yorker Festival today alongside fellow attendees Will Arnett, Jason Bateman, Portia de Rossi, Michael Cera, Tony Hale, Jeffrey Tambor, David Cross, Alia Shawkat and Jessica Walter. He elaborated by saying that each episode of the presumptive new season would focus on a different character from the show - a direction likely necessitated by the fact that many of the series' former cast members are currently tied up with other commitments and probably wouldn't be available to film a full nine or ten episodes.
Jason Bateman (@batemanjason) later "confirmed" the news via Twitter, stating: "It's true. We will do 10 episodes and the movie. Probably shoot them all together next summer for a release in early '13. VERY excited!"
Of course, given that cast members have previously "confirmed" the feature film despite the fact that it's still very much up in the air, I'd suggest taking what Bateman tweeted with a grain of salt.
Indeed, this is all purely speculative at the moment; the movie obviously needs to be greenlit before the possibility of a new season can even be broached. Nevertheless, the show's rabid fanbase is no doubt buzzing at this hour.
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October 2, 2011 at 7:52PM EST Reply to CommentWow, I knew the movie was coming out, but it's awesome that there's going to be a season 4!
POLL: Are you looking forward to watching season 4 of Arrested Development?
Vote: http://www.wepolls.com/p/3318097
mturnerdu
October 2, 2011 at 8:56PM EST Reply to CommentUntil I am sitting down watching a new episode, I will ignore any and all news of the new season or movie. I sure hope it happens but I won't get my hopes up.
Rev. Slappy
October 2, 2011 at 10:58PM EST Reply to CommentThe idea of having a short run of new episodes leading up to the movie is genius, not only does it allow Hurwitz to catch up with the characters 5 years later it also introduces them to people who may not have already seen the show.
Dave I
October 3, 2011 at 9:44AM EST Reply to CommentJust make the thing already. It's obvious at least somebody wants this thing made (including me), and a mini-season would be a nice way to sort of bridge the gap AND reignite interest in the show/movie/franchise(?). But this is something best done as soon as possible (provided it's done right, so as soon as possible to be done with quality).
Still, if/when it's out there, I'll be happy to watch it, whatever "it" ends up being. I suppose they revived Family Guy and Futurama after long hiatuses, and gave it a try with Nightrider (not sure why, but they did anyway) so it is not entirely unprecedented.
But really? I think they should just make the thing already. I have never really gotten what the big holdup was.
-Cheers
andy_bogursky
October 4, 2011 at 10:34PM EST Reply to CommentAs much as I loved the series and was sad to see it end, it did end. It's not like we were left with some big cliffhanger or something; the storylines were all wrapped up very nicely. I don't think we need to see more just for the sake of more.