An Arrested Development feature film is currently awaiting production, to be written by the series' creator, Mitchell Hurwitz,[30][31][32][33] and will likely be directed by Ron Howard.[33]
Rumors of a possible full-length film have circulated since the show's final episode.[34] In an August 2006 TV Guide interview, Michael Cera (George-Michael) indicated that he "[believes] Hurwitz wants to [do the film]," and that he had been tentatively contacted about participating.[35] A 2006 interview with Will Arnett (Gob) quoted him as saying, "I’m pretty sure that obviously it rests on Mitch. Any sort of project like that would have to come from him and it would be something that he’d be really passionate about. I guess if the story were right, and by story I mean the money was large enough, then he’d do it.”[36]
On December 6, 2007, an article was released on MTV featuring an interview with Bateman during which he stated that the possibility of an Arrested Development movie was not dead and that Hurwitz had been working on "something" while the Writers Guild of America was on strike.[37]
The following week on MSNBC, Keith Olbermann addressed the possibility of an Arrested Development movie, with a segment parodying both his own Special Comment segments, and Gob's oft used phrase "Come On!", titling the segment a "Special Come On". In addition to citing Bateman's recent interview, he also relied on his friendships with some of the cast and crew including Bateman and Hurwitz who issued a joint statement to Countdown saying, "It's something we're very interested in doing, but only after the writer's strike, and only if the powers that be approve."[38]
On February 1, 2008, Bateman confirmed that Hurwitz and TV series narrator Ron Howard have "put the wheels in motion toward a major motion picture."[39]
On the February 25, 2008 episode of Late Night with Conan O'Brien, O'Brien asked Arnett whether or not it was true that a movie was in the works. Arnett replied, "Yeah, we're currently in talks . . . Hollywood term."[40]
That same month, Bateman also confirmed that "a round of sniffing [had] started."[31] Bateman went on to say, "Any talk is targeting a post-strike situation, of course. I think, as always, that it's a question of whether the people with the money are willing to give our leader, Mitch Hurwitz, what he deserves for his participation. And I can speak for the cast when I say our fingers are crossed."[41]
Jeffrey Tambor (George) has also been approached by Howard in an attempt to gauge his willingness to do the film. Both Tambor and Bateman are said to have confirmed their interest and it is reported that "everyone seems to be very much on board and excited by the prospect [of an Arrested Development motion picture]"[31]
Hurwitz has not yet finished a script but is said to have a "good, solid understanding of what he'd like to do for the movie, and Universal is very much interested."[31]
Following the conclusion of the writer's strike, Bateman is quoted in a March 4th, 2008 article on Digital Spy: "Well, the ball has started rolling down the hill again, so hopefully, all the adults can get the business stuff together - because all the creatives are on board." Quizzed about what to expect from the film, the actor added "I don’t know. I learned a long time ago not to try to guess what Mitch Hurwitz will come up with. But it’ll be good, whatever it is."[42]
Alia Shawkat (Maeby), in numerous interviews about her newest movie Prom Wars (released May 9th, 2008),[32] fielded questions regarding the ongoing development of the Arrested Development feature film. On April 28, 2008, in an interview with New York Post reporter Jerrett Wieselman, Shawkat stated, "I think it's gonna happen. They're writing the script right now, supposedly. But, you know, Mitch talked to all the actors and they are all in; Everyone wants to be a part of it."[43]
That same month, in an interview with Teen Flare, Shawkat was asked about what she knew about the "stir on the internet about a potential move." Her response was, "With the publicity of Juno, Jason Bateman started spewing rumours that there was going to be a movie. When we wrapped, [Jason] said, ‘watch I’m going to make sure a movie happens’. He’s just like the best advocate for Arrested – as everyone is. But he really just created a rumour, which now may be starting the actual production of it. Mitch spoke to everyone to make sure they were all on board and everyone is, so I think they’re going forward with it. Ron Howard is down to [direct] it, so I think Mitch just has to write the script . . ."[32]
On May 6th, 2008, in an interview published by Radar Online, Shawkat said, "I got a call from Mitchell Hurwitz, the creator, and he said 'so have you heard about this movie we're supposedly doing?' and I said yes. And he said he was in and it was great. And Jason [Bateman], when he was doing all the Juno press, he basically just talked up the movie. He got the publicity going before anything was real. So Mitch talked to Ron Howard, who said he would direct it, and he's down. So I think Mitch was like, 'I guess I'll write it then,' and that's what I think he's doing now."[33]
