Progress On ‘Arrested Development’ Movie Slows As Creator Concentrates On Other Projects, Says Ron Howard

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Published by Eric Ditzian on Thursday, April 30, 2009 at 11:56 am.

If you’re like any of us at MTV News, you’re probably wondering what keeps holding up the big screen adaptation of “Arrested Development” from moving forward. Well, now we have our answer: the new Fox show, “Sit Down, Shut Up.”

Mitch Hurwitz’s animated comedy debuted earlier this month, and between writing and producing that series, and developing other television projects, the “Arrested” creator hasn’t had a chance to start writing a script for his Emmy-winning Fox show that was canceled in 2006, says “Arrested” producer/narrator Ron Howard.

“Still waiting on a script,” Howard told MTV News this week. “Mitch’s television company was very successful—good for Mitch—and slowed things up a little bit for ‘Arrested Development’ fans.”

While not actively writing a script, Hurwitz is still keeping the wheels turning when it comes to the Bluth family and their particular brand of dysfunctional dark comedy. “Mitch is into it,” said Howard. “He’s thinking about it. He’s told me some of the ideas. They’re hilarious. But he hasn’t pulled it together into a script—that I know of! Maybe he’ll see this and email me something.”

Howard also said that castmembers remained committed to the project. “Every time I bump into anyone from the show—everybody’s excited,” Howard said, which is great news considering all the “is he in or is he out?” gossip that has surrounded the adaptation.

But don’t expect casting news regarding Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, Michael Cera and others any time soon: in February, Howard told us, “We’ve been asked to no longer divulge anything or get into the game of who’s in, who’s out. People are going to have to see.”

When the movie does get going in earnest, Hurwitz will assume directing duties, while Howard will produce. And, thankfully, he’ll be hanging on to one other position as well. “Nobody can keep me from being the narrator,” Howard said. “That’s my gig, buddy!”

Will Arnett discusses movie, Sit Down Shut Up

Link: http://www2.canada.com/ottawacitizen/story.html?id=600d7f70-4a18-4a16-b108-af10da895dda

Arnett's development was unarrested

Jamie Portman, Canwest News service

Published: Sunday, April 19, 2009

Will Arnett says working on the Arrested Development movie will be 'really fun.'

In fact, Arnett's work plate is overflowing. He's basking in the glowing box-office returns for the animated Monsters vs. Aliens for which he supplied the voice of the Missing Link. He recently finished work on When in Rome, a new Disney romantic comedy which also stars Kristen Bell and Anjelica Huston.

He's also wrapped up shooting G-Force, a family action comedy, for producer Jerry Bruckheimer. And in June, he and old friends from the Arrested Development clan will reunite for the eagerly awaited film version.

There's the April 19 premiere on the Fox network of Sit Down, Shut Up. He provides the voice for a self-absorbed English teacher on this new animated sitcom from Mitch Hurwitz, who was also the zany creator of Arrested Development, one of the great cult shows of the past decade.

Then there's also the fact that he and wife Amy Poehler recently became parents to new son, Archie. Parenthood, Arnett emphasizes, is a life-changing experience.

Meanwhile, his acting career has never looked better, even though Arnett is reluctant to predict where he'll be, say, five years from now.

"To be able to continue doing stuff and work with really talented people is very gratifying. But I really should have more of a plan. I don't have the benefit of being all that sharp, so I could probably do a better job in that regard."

Chief among them is the film version of Arrested Development is now looming high on his agenda. The series made Time magazine's list of the 100 greatest shows of all time during the three seasons it lasted from 2003 to 2006.

He labels his time on the show as "incredible" and he can't wait to renew his acquaintance with his character, Gob, or find out what's in store for him in the movie.

"Who knows? I'll have to beg Mitch for mercy on that one. I'm sure he will have me in some kind of compromised position. It will be really fun to get back into that world."

Bateman vs. Arnett