Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Where are they now: The cast of "Arrested Development"

The inspiration for this post comes from Jason Bateman, who is on quite a roll of late.

Friday, of course, he'll star in "The Kingdom," which I'm looking forward to if only because it's directed by Peter Berg, in whom I have full faith. It looks like a pretty standard political thriller, but I'm still holding out hope that it will turn out to be more than that.

And this morning comes word, in French from the great froggy film site Cinempire.com, so bear with me, that he's joined the cast of Kevin MacDonald's next flick, "State of Play." Based on the British miniseries of the same name, it also stars Edward Norton and a certain actor you may have heard of named Brad Pitt.

Norton will play a police deputy who's charged with investigating the death of a politician's mistress, Pitt is the politician's old campaign manager who's called upon to hush everything up, and Bateman is a journalist who's trying to do the opposite (if you've seen the BBC miniseries and I have any of this wrong, please let me know.)

That all sounds great to me, and of course Bateman can be seen before that in a Bluth father-and-son reunion in "Juno," a flick I've mentioned here, well, at least 500 times or so. Michael Cera is on as good a role of late as his TV dad, so here's hoping that continues (and, just in case you've somehow missed it, please check out ClarkandMichael.com and be ready to laugh - a lot.)

And, as a tribute to the much-missed (by me, at least) "Arrested Development," here's a look at what's happened to the rest of the cast since Fox killed this utterly entertaining show:

Jason Bateman: Along with the aforementioned projects, Michael Bluth will also appear soon in "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium." All I know about this is that it's about a magical toy store and it stars Natalie Portman, which is enough to get me at least a bit intrigued. Next summer he'll star in "Hancock" with very pretty people Charlize Theron and Will Smith.

Portia de Rossi: I'm sad to report that Lindsay Bluth Funke has nothing listed on her IMDB resume since "Arrested Development" except an appearance or two on her girlfriend's talk show. Surely there must be work out there for this rather funny lady.

Will Arnett: I would say that Gob Bluth's post-"AD" movie record has been nothing short of atrocious, but since I haven't bothered to see most of his flicks I can't say that with authority. Up next on his very busy resume (he has at least eight projects listed as announced or active on the IMDB) will be an appearance in "Semi-Pro," the next sports-oriented Will Ferrell flick about a struggling basketball team from Flint, Michigan. This looks like it could be very funny, but after that I'm sorry to have to say he'll be providing voice for the thoroughly unnecessary remake of "Horton Hears a Who." Oh well. I guess a man's gotta eat.

Michael Cera: After "Juno," in which he plays the rather fortunate young man who manages to impregnate young Ellen Page, he's set to star in a movie based on the very funny novel "Youth in Revolt" by C.D. Payne. I just finished reading this, and I can report that if you can handle yet another novel about a 14-year-old and his constant quest to have sex, this one is just a hoot from start to finish and should make a good flick in the right hands.

Alia Shawkat: George Michael Bluth's cousin Maeby, conveniently enough, also stars in a flick being released this week, something called "Prom Wars." As the title implies, this is a flick that's targeted at an audience just slightly younger than me, but I'll probably see it anyway at some point. The plot (courtesy of IMDB): The graduating class at Miss Aversham and Miss Cronstall's School for Girls find that they have all blossomed simultaneously. Capitalizing on their improbable hotness, they issue a challenge to the boys of rival private schools, Selby House and Lancaster College: The winner in a series of athletic and academic competitions will be awarded exclusive rights to the girls as prom dates. Oddly enough, this appears to be headed straight for DVD, since I can't even find it listed at Yahoo's movies site.

Tony Hale: Buster Bluth is next listed as having a bit part in "Rockett," some kind of romantic comedy set to star Jimmy Fallon (meh) in November. After that he's down for two movies I know absolutely nothing about, some kind of thriller called "In My Sleep" and "The Tale of Desperaux," a rather star-studded animated flick about a mouse, a rat and a servant girl. Who knew rats would become the new penguins?

David Cross: Tobias Funke was, for my money, the funniest cast member of "AD," with Michael Cera a close second. He's starring very soon, if you're lucky enough to be going to the New York Film Festival, as Allen Ginsberg in Todd Haynes' trippy Dylan biopic "I'm Not There," but after that things dont look too promising. After an appearance with Jason Lee in "Alvin and the Chipmunks" (no, I'm not kidding) he only has animated voice credits listed, although at least one of those will be in the upcoming "Futurama" (huzzah!) movie or episode (not sure which) "The Beast With a Billion Backs."

Jeffrey Tambor: George Bluth has already flamed out in one post-"AD" sitcom, "20 Good Years" (which didn't even last one bad one). He's currently listed for another pilot, "The Captain," but I couldn't manage to find out if this has even been picked up for this fall. After that, I have the pleasure to report he's set to reprise his role as Tom Manning in Guillermo del Toro's "Hellboy 2: The Golden Army" and the displeasure to report he'll then star in yet another "spoof" movie, the thoroughly unnecessary "Superhero!"

Jessica Walter: Since "AD," Lucille Bluth has only made three one-shot appearances on TV shows I've never seen, "Rules of Engagement," "Saving Grace" and "The Land Before Time." Surely there must be more work out there for this very funny lady.

And there you have it. I hope that was enjoyable to at least one person, and that you all have an entirely suck-free Tuesday.

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Tony Hale has a local connection and is in Macon from time to time. His father - Mike Hale - is the director of the Warner Robins branch of Macon State College.

Terence Towles Canote said...

Thanks for updating us on where everyone from AD is now. The show lasted all too briefly. It was definitely one of the best things on television at the time.

Reel Fanatic said...

Wow ... I had no idea about that, anonymous one ... I may have to contact the senior Mr. Hale and see if I could ever sit down and talk wit his son ... that would be a heck of a lot of fun!

Ashok said...

By the way, I saw "The Kingdom" a week and a half back. They had premiere show out here. Very well made movie. http://amusicment.blogspot.com/2007/09/kingdom-2007-movie-review.html

Reel Fanatic said...

I'll certainly stop by and read your review, Ashok, probably during my lunch hour .. I'm glad to hear this one turned out to be good

Eric said...

Now don't be so quick to deride the gigs as voice talent. Ask any working actor and they will tell you how much they love the work. paricularly with the likes of Groening or McFarland.
Keep your eyes peeled for Despereaux, The Child did a rather extensive report in the book in 5th grade and it was a great story.
I am looking forward to the Kingdom cause a good bud was First Asst. Camera on that show. He gets all the cool blow stuff up gigs.
Laters

Reel Fanatic said...

I really didn't mean to disrespect the voice work, Eric, because I simply adore animated movies ... I only meant to note that it's just about the only kind of work listed for Mr. Cross after "I'm Not There" .. In fact, I'd list "Ratatouille" as my favorite movie of 2007 so far

renee said...

I've read in a couple of places that Portia di Rossi is going to be on the new season of Nip/Tuck as a love interest for Joely Richardson. Given how overheated that show is, I'm sure their scenes will be quite interesting.

Reel Fanatic said...

That's good to hear, Renee ... I don't tune in for every episode of that show, but when I do, I find it to completely over-the-top and almost always just as entertaining

Bob said...

Thank you for your update. My second favorite show of all-time (first being "Freaks and Geeks"). Now if you'll excuse me I have to go. Like the guy in the...the $5,000 suit is just gonna spend all night commenting on your blog. COME ON! :)

Divinity said...

David Cross was recently in town for the Vancouver Comedy Festival. I was seriously tempted but we just couldn't fit it into the schedule.

kat said...

Tony Hale also had a blink-and-you'll-miss-him role in the Emma Thompson/Will Ferrell "Stranger Than Fiction."

Oh yeah, and a pretty funny starring role in the Switchfoot music video for "Awakening." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHTU2i8RhH8


The AD cast was one in a million. They just clicked amazingly well together.

Reel Fanatic said...

I have to confess, kat, that I must have blinked or just completely forgotten him, because I thoroughly enjoyed "Stranger than Fiction" but can't remember him being in it all!

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