The attached video, assembled by Gawker video wizard Mike Byhoff, alternates between Cera's role as precious bumbler George Michael in Arrested Development and his work as precious bumbler in Paper Heart Superbad, Juno and Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist. At least his preciousness is getting more sweary, over time. That's a form of growing up, right?

Another sign of maturation: Charlyne Yi has shot down rumors that she and Cera were real-life dating during the filming of Paper Heart, meaning Cera's been party to a cynical publicity stunt. How adult!

Mitch Hurwitz, who created Arrested Development, is executive producer and co-creator of Sit Down, an animated series that is voiced (in part) by Arrested cast members Jason Bateman (Michael Bluth), Will Arnett (George "Gob" Bluth) and Henry Winkler (the Bluth family lawyer and the Fonz on Happy Days).

The show is about "self-obsessed teachers of a high school where the students are mere obstacles," writes Brian Stelter in the New York Times.

Shut Up is essentially set in the real world, partly as a consequence of its distinctive style of animation. The series combines animated characters with live-action backgrounds in a style originally created by Mo Willems, the children's book author.

Of course, if the show turns out to be any good, Fox will promptly cancel it.

[NY Times]

Despite the fact that creator Mitchell Hurwitz has said he couldn't begin work on a script until every cast member signed on—and then, everyone but the erstwhile George Michael proceeded to do just that—Cera had remained publicly opposed to the project for months. Now, though, E's Kristin Dos Santos is reporting the news (straight from her Arrested Development source, which is probably Jason Bateman) that Cera has changed his mind and will indeed sign on to the movie, which could shoot as early as this winter with Ron Howard succeeding Hurwitz at the helm. Update: A rep at Imagine Entertainment writes in that Hurwitz still has sole claim to the director's seat, presumably leaving Howard confined to the voiceover booth.

A beloved franchise cut loose by its network and eventually revived elsewhere with all its major players intact. Hmmm. Sounds like something we can get behind.

• Sources: Michael Cera Joins Arrested Development Movie [E!]

Several tipsters sent us the following casting notice, which just went out over the wires:

"THE ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT
FEATURE FILM" SAG
PROD CO: ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT PRODS
SHOOT: 1ST WEEK OF MAY
LOCATION: NYC

SEEKING:

[GOLDSTONE] An appealing Caucasian man in his late 20s to early 30s. Goldstone is a graduate of the Yale School of Drama who is frustrated with his stalled acting career and desperate to get it onto the fast track. He meets life head on with fearless determination. He is an optimist, a problem solver and a go-getter. Goldstone is intelligent and charming, well bred, reliable and good at heart. He is in a long-term relationship and is very committed and faithful. But, he has a dark side - he can be almost ruthless in his ambition to succeed, self-centered and brutally hard on others as well as himself. Willing to pay SAG Low Budget Rates for this role.

As visions of a Manhattan-set romp danced in our heads (with a brand-new supporting character that surely would befriend struggling actor Tobias), we did a little more digging and discovered that the project was set to be directed by unknown Stephen Marro, not Mitch Hurwitz or Ron Howard as previously rumored. And what's the last credit on Marro's IMDb resume? A short film entitled (yup) Arrested Development, with Jonathon Schaech as "Goldstone." Now, when Marro's feature-length adaptation of his short corrals a very confused Jeffrey Tambor, we'll know exactly what went wrong.

Here's what Bluth patriarch Jeffrey Tambor said about the matter, as related to the NYDN:

Michael Cera will do the highly debated “Arrested Development” movie, according to his on-screen granddad, Jeffrey Tambor.

“If I have to call him up and say, ‘Get on set right now, young man,’ he’ll be there,” the comic said at a recent Upright Citizens Brigade L.A. performance of “Word Girl.” “The movie is going to happen this year, and Michael Cera is on board. Trust me.”

We're not going to believe it until we hear it from Cera's mouth, but it's still encouraging that at least one cast member has vowed to grab him by the hoodie and drag him onto set if need be. They aren't just handing out big-budget superhero movies to skinny Apatow players anymore, Cera—take the four-week gig for peanuts, assuage your fanbase, and then move on to the next installment of your unofficial film series: Stammering Guitarist Finds Awkward Young Love.

• 'Arrested Development' movie is on! [NYDN]

We've got video above where Howard tells the hosts of Morning Joe that the film isn't quite greenlit yet and will need a completed script first— a comment which reminded us that creator Mitchell Hurwitz said he can't write the script until he knows which actors are on board. If only there were some sort of shared (three-season-long) history between Hurwitz and Cera to instill faith in the erstwhile George Michael.

In other news, it's been pointed out that we missed this little tidbit from TCA, which necessitates a Film Tracker update:

Count Portia de Rossi in for an Arrested Development movie: Despite calling her new character in ABC's Better Off Ted her all-time favorite, she'd be up for reprising Lindsay Bluth on the big screen. "I would love to do a movie for Arrested," she said — before adding to the confusion surrounding the project by saying "the cast are all on board." If that gets off the ground, she'd be a busy lady: She also wants to start a vegan shoe line.

And with that, the Film Tracker is complete: each and every actor, director, and trade paper has weighed in, and Cera is the lone holdout (lacking even a powerful excuse like the demands of a hemp-derived shoe company on his time). Come on!

• Ron Howard Defends "Punk" Michael Cera, Talks "Arrested Development" Movie [HuffPo]

MTV cornered the actor to ask just what exactly was the holdup, and Cera—while fully embracing his unlikely new role as a meddling antagonist—explained that he wouldn't sign on because there's no script yet. Of course, as creator Mitch Hurwitz has explained, there won't be a script until Hurwitz knows for sure which cast members are coming back. What a hilarious, Arrested-worthy Möbius strip of stalled misunderstandings. We are never getting this movie.

• Michael Cera On ‘Arrested Development’ Movie: ‘More Hypothetical Than People Think’ [MTV]

Despite the fact that nearly every cast member has signed on (though we're still waiting for Portia De Rossi to finish restocking Ellen's green room with votive candles so she can issue an official announcement) and creator Mitchell Hurwitz says he can't proceed in writing a script until he knows whether Cera will commit, the actor has remained indecisive, Bateman said at TCA.

"I think you really have to get him on the phone to get his answer about whether he's going to come back and do it or not. I know he's thinking about it, and we're all awaiting some finality to that."

"I do feel bad that people are a little misinformed about what's going on with him," Bateman said. "He's certainly not said that he won't do it. I think he's, you know, Michael is clearly the guy that has come out of 'Arrested Development' with a very, very big plate. And so I think he's trying to really give some responsible thought to what makes sense for him to do with his career.

"The guy's 20 years old and I'm sure he doesn't want to screw up this opportunity, and trying to figure out whether an 'Arrested Development' film would be right for him and his future, I think, again, he's just trying to give responsible time to that decision. And he may or may not have come to a decision. I really can't speak to that."

If Cera hasn't come to a decision, he might be forced to after a rabid Sundance press pack accosts him over the next week. There have been many times in history when a fine, upstanding Bluth was pressed into service because the members of his family demanded it; Michael, we ask you, what's one more?

• Bateman Defends Cera's 'Arrested' Decision [Fancast]

• Michael Cera Still Not Signed for Arrested Movie [E!]

First, Will Arnett reconfirmed his involvement with the film, which was under some scrutiny after Hale mentioned that cast members' new children might present some scheduling conflicts (Arnett just had a baby with Amy Poehler, as was mandated by a Jennifer Hudson-obsessed Creator).

"Arrested Development has such a special place in my heart,” he tells EW.com, “and I can't wait to strap that fake hand back on and fight the seal once and for all—wait, which guy did I play?...It’ll be fun to get back together with everybody and work on it. It’s been so long now, we almost have to do it. It’s like we have to finish the joke.” What details can he spill about the project? “I’m sure I’m not speaking out of turn when I say Christmas Day ’09, 12:01 a.m. is the first show,” he shares. “We’re opening on—this is unprecedented—13,000 screens. This is going to be mind-blowing. We start shooting this summer. It’s going to be directed by Obama’s Secretary of the Treasury, I’m not sure how [series creator] Mitch Hurwitz feels about that."

Also, thanks to commenter bronx51, who pointed out that Alia Shawkat did in fact confirm her AD involvement to a long-ago, pre-zombified Radar (ironically, the news flew under ours). And what an eerily prescient interview it was!

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 [Arrested Development] 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. And yes, I'm involved. I think everyone is.

[...]

Who do you see most often from the cast?
Sadly, I don't see everyone that often. I see Michael Cera every now and again, but he's famous now so he doesn't want to talk to me.

Cera, you're making a huge mistake. What will it take before you reconsider? Gross points? Henry Winkler's participation? A lifetime supply of American Apparel hoodies?

• 'Arrested Development' movie: Will Arnett is ready to go [EW]

• Arrested Movie Developing: Maeby [Radar]

In an interview with Fancast, the show's creator Mitchell Hurwitz dishes on some of the ideas he's had for the AD movie: a prequel? A film within a film? A straight-ahead story with an animated recap? There's just one problem: he can't begin writing a script until the entire cast signs on, and there's one key dissenter...

So what of the rumors that new dad Will Arnett and shiny movie star Michael Cera are the only two remaining holdouts?

"I don’t want to talk about who is holding out right now because we might still work that out and I don’t want to pressure anyone through the press," said Hurwitz. "Although I will say that Will Arnett is gung-ho, so there’s a big clue!"

Arnett's confirmation provides one more "yea" vote for the Film Tracker™ now we can only wait for someone, somewhere, to interview Alia Shawkat, hopefully providing the final inducement Portia de Rossi will need to return to the screen instead of languidly flipping through Life & Style in Ellen's green room. Will a united, unanimous Bluth clan change Cera's mind? Or will the role of George Michael suddenly be played by a stammering Haley Joel Osment?

• Arrested Development Movie, Still Developing, Says Mitch Hurwitz [Fancast]

The latest is Tony Hale, who played Buster. Delicious! Here's what he had to say to Paste (not as delicious) about the subject:

"Pretty much, we’re all willing to do it," he says. "I think it’s a matter of everybody’s schedule just being crazy. After the show, everybody did their own thing. We all had babies. So it’s just tough to pull everybody’s schedule together. And it’s also a matter of the budget and what they can do it for. I’d love for it to happen because I’d love to get together with everybody and just play and have a great time. There are a lot of other factors involved, but it seems like everybody’s excited about it."

That leaves Will Arnett, Portia DeRossi and Alia Shawkat left to confirm, and gives Cera a month to revise his opinion before he begins his Sundance press tour. Careful there, Superbad... we have a feeling that if you stick to your guns, there may be a one-armed man waiting in Park City to teach you a lesson.

• Tony Hale optimistic about Arrested Development movie, Boldly Going Nowhere TV show [Paste]

The current addition to the film's confirmed cast? None other than Defamer love object Jessica Walter! During an interview with PopWrap, Walter diplomatically addressed her 90210 downsizing, but immediately kicked the CW show to the curb when talk turned to the Arrested Development movie:

PW: How much have you missed working on "Arrested"?
Jessica: Now there was a show! I do miss it, I miss the people and I miss the writing. Mitch Hurwitz ["Arrested Development" creator], so brilliant!

PW: How did you get the official word?
Jessica: They called me and asked if I was on board. It was like "duh!" No question whatsoever.

PW: Are you looking forward to having the gang back together again?
Jessica: It is exciting - how they'll ever get everybody involved together, I have no idea. Luckily that's not my problem.

PW: What about rumors that Michael Cera won't be returning?
Jessica: I don't know about that, but how about him? It's funny, he's the nicest, quietest, most laid-back kid - and he was on the show too. You just didn't think that this guy was going to be a huge movie star. He was so quiet, so non-showbizzy. I mean, I'm not surprised because he's so talented, but it happened so fast - within a year.

Walter goes on to say that filming will begin in the spring or summer, provided the script is finished in time. Then, she throws a bone to the hardcore fans:

PW: I know there are a lot of gems, but does anything stand out for you as a favorite line?
Jessica: One of my favorites, because it was so delightful, was this scene in a restaurant with Portia [de Rossi] and a waitress comes over and says something about a fried or smoked sandwich, and Lucille says something like "I don't understand the question and I won't respond to it." That was just so crazy and so real - this poor little blonde trashbox waitress - that was my favorite amongst many, many brilliant pieces of dialogue.

Madam, we raise a vodka gimlet in your honor. Now if you'll excuse us, Cerberus is hungry, and the Hot Pockets? They do nothing!

• Jessica Walter: 'I'll Die If Lucille Bluth Dies In The Movie!' [Popwrap]

"Yes, it's a go," an Arrested castmember who asked not to be named tells me. "We're all very excited. And it will happen with or without the holdout."

Wait a minute...The holdout? Yes, I'm also told exclusively by multiple sources that one of the show's original castmembers has not signed on to the movie...

"Yeah, [he or she] might not do it," an actor says of this costar. "However, I do know that we will do the project with or without [him or her]."

So who spilled the beans to Dos Santos? Though we want to believe it was a tipsy Jessica Walter (we'd like to believe she never, ever breaks character), Dos Santos has a history of ringing up Jason Bateman for scoop (examples one, two, and three), and his picture even adorns the post in question. We firmly hope that Bateman can convince his on-screen son that family — not breakfast, nor the possibility of a Superbad 2 payday — is the most important thing.

• Inside Scoop on Arrested Movie Deal! [E!]

The "Arrested Development" feature has moved closer to reality, with Mitch Hurwitz and Ron Howard reportedly closing deals for the long-gestating project from Imagine and Fox Searchlight. [...]

Hurwitz, who created and exec produced the Emmy-winning series, is on board to write the film as well as direct with help from Howard.

Will Howard's "help" extend to a co-directing slot? We had always figured Hurwitz was a no-brainer to direct , but then we realized that he never actually helmed any episodes of his series (to be fair, he still show-ran the hell out of it). We'll say one thing: Howard might seem a little too middlebrow to actually sit in a director's chair for the Arrested Development movie, but a speedo-clad Tom Hanks feels a lot more in tune with the AD sensibility than it does with the Da Vinci Code sequel.

• 'Arrested Development' film gets closer [THR]

Inaugurating the AD Film Tracker is Ron Howard, who said this during his junket duties for Frost/Nixon:

“I think it’s looking very promising,” said Howard. “We’re still just lacking that one thing we need: a script.” He also confirmed that Mitchell Hurwitz, who created the Emmy-winning series, would direct the movie.

That adds both Howard and Hurwitz to the "yea" column already populated by Jeffrey Tambor, Jason Bateman, and David Cross, leaving only Michael Cera as the film's lone holdout thus far. Superbad, it's time to get with the program. We don't want to do this, but we can always replace you with Annyong.

• Update: Ron Howard confirms Arrested Development movie [Paste]

On the red carpet, Jeffrey told me he just spoke to Mitch and the movie is a go! He says Mitch Hurwitz spoke to him this week and while he didn’t know when the start date was, he said, ”when the writer/director calls you it’s a pretty good sign.”

Yes. Yes it is. We just got off the line with someone at Hurwitz's production company, who tells us the phone has been ringing off the hook all morning about the rumor. He promises to get back to us with something a little more official, which we'll pass along immediately. Keep your hooks crossed!

• Exclusive - Jeffrey Tambor says ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT Movie is a Go! [Collider via /Film]

What he won't be doing any time soon is a movie version of a certain quirky TV show. He hasn't heard of any plans for an Arrested Development film.

"I don't think I would want to see a movie of the series if I was a fan, anyway," Cera says. "And I don't really see a need for it if you can get the three seasons on DVD."

Michael, the mere fact that you say there's "no need" for an Arrested Development movie tells us that you're not ready for the vocal protest that's bound to ensue from shocked fans. Let's all hope this is just a bit of negotiations hardball designed to bump up the salary for Arrested Development's most unexpectedly bankable performer — otherwise, we'll have to bring back BluthWatch '08. And this time, it's personal.

• Michael Cera: A superstar? Aw, shucks [National Post]

• WATCH VIDEO

boomp3.com



After an appearance on MTV's TRL, beloved actor Jason Bateman was confronted by his Hancock co-stars Will Smith and Charlize Theron about the rumors of an Arrested Development film. Smith was very excited about the cult television series making a leap to the big screen. Smith said, "I hope you're not lying about this. I can't take another heartbreak about Arrested Development. It took me a good six months to get over it being canceled. Barry Zuckerkorn is my wallpaper on my laptop."

[Photo Credit: Getty Images]