Is Michael Cera Still Cold-Shouldering 'Arrested Development'?
Filed under: Casting, RumorMonger
In February, we learned from those ever-talkative and only sometimes-dependable "insiders" that Michael Cera finally agreed to be part of an Arrested Development feature film. And, as an added cherry to the already great news, word had it that the project would hit production by the end of the year. But I don't think we should let our hearts still quite yet.Collider has posted a blip from a Q&A with the actor, and Cera sounds, dare I say, reluctant as all holy hell. When asked if the movie would ever get made, George Michael Cera said: "I think it will. Yeah. I don't see why it wouldn't. I don't think it will happen for awhile." When told about the rumored 2009 start, the actor added: "But there is no rush. I think he should take his time. I know it means a lot to Mitch. There is no rush, really, I don't think."
That's not exactly the chipper response fans would hope to hear from the guy who has been iffy on this project from the beginning. Frosty Steve takes the news to mean that we won't see the film getting shot anytime soon, but I wonder if this is simply a good look into Cera's opinion of the project. If Arrested Development doesn't hit production soon, the kid has more time to avoid saying "Hell no, I won't go!" and subsequently feel the stinging impact of fan outrage. If it does stick to the rumored schedule, I'd bet that it will have to deal with the absence of George Michael.
Or, maybe it is all on track and Cera's just messing with our minds! (Yeah, I don't believe it either...)
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-15-2009 @ 12:05PM
Wayne said...
He hasn't exactly been selecting roles to branch out as actor so his unwillingness to play George Michael Bluth seems rather hypocritical.
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6-15-2009 @ 12:17PM
Stan Winsome said...
Hard to believe it comes down to him. He's certainly a funny part of AD but hardly make or break if he's balking or holding out for money. If his character were missing for the movie I'd still happily go. Also after Year One bombs like the stinker it looks like, he'll be a lot more open to this idea methinks...
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6-15-2009 @ 12:31PM
YouFaceTheTick said...
He's smart. It should never happen.
Loved AD but it belongs on TV, not a movie screen.
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6-15-2009 @ 1:51PM
David Musto said...
He has only been repeating the George Michael character in everything he's done since, so he has no high road to flee to. The only thing I can think of is that he doesn't want to be overshadowed by Jason Bateman again. Tough crap. He was overshadowed by Rainn Wilson in Juno as well. Cera does not have the talent to necessitate this standoff-ishness.
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6-15-2009 @ 2:53PM
YouFaceTheTick said...
Maybe he figures - rightly so - it will be a commercial flop. AD while one of the best shows EVER was not a hit among viewers. A show that smart, that quick and that layered isn't done just by a film treatment. In fact part of what people loved about AD is that it layered characters and ideas over the years. That won't be so with a movie version. Instead the movie version would be watered down to pull in as many possible new viewers. It'll be toned down on the mean as people want syrupy endings (heck even the Hangover had one pissy guy happy to see his wife and another dump his shrew girlfriend).
We're not talking about browncoats here. If even 3 million of AD's viewers show up (long shot) the movie will make about $20 million box office. And unlike Serenity, this won't have people interested based purely on sci-fi or action. AD was around long enough for people to try it and not get it. So unlike Firefly, which few people saw, AD has an audience reaction of: yuck. It'll also have to rely upon a brand of comedy that really only works on HBO/Showtime. NBC is just kind to keep 30 Rock going. Otherwise for the most part you must visit HBO/Showtime to find any comedies on the same level as AD (Curb Your Enthusiasm, Weeds). Wacky screwball comedies at the movies...um... Oscar? The Great Race? Bringing up Baby. Hardly contemporary films.
This isn't the banality and faux women's lib of Sex and the City. This doesn't have a base 15-20 million strong that's been dying to see it again. Nobody is wondering what is GOB up to now?!
6-15-2009 @ 2:22PM
George McBain said...
On a side-note, I finally picked up Seasons 1 & 2 from Best Buy at $12 each! yeah me!
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6-15-2009 @ 2:44PM
Terry said...
I agree with YouFace...I'd totally see an AD film if it were made, but I would rather if the story was left as it. A movie can't really make my feelings of AD better, more likely worse or stay the same...something I'd like to not mess with.
However, if this movie were made without Michael Cera, it could make for a long-running joke throughout the movie about not knowing where George Michael is
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6-15-2009 @ 2:53PM
catgirl667 said...
I think it would be really funny if they just replaced Michael Cera in the role of George Michael and the rest of the characters acted like they didn't notice, but made referrences like "Wow, you look different!"
Oh, yeah, and Gary Coleman should play him.
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6-17-2009 @ 3:23PM
CParis said...
Or the little Chinese kids that the Mama Bluth "adopted" to get back at her kids.
6-15-2009 @ 6:36PM
Robin said...
@YouFaceTheTick - so what if it is a commercial failure* - the AD fans are a loyal lot and we will go see the movie in droves. I'm willing to bet a lot of us go see all his (mostly not very good) other movies, too.
Since this show launched his career he should do it. Without this show he would be just another no-name barely twenty-something trying to hit it big.
(*I bet Year One won't do all that great, either)
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6-16-2009 @ 12:48AM
YouFaceTheTick said...
Cera was working before AD and honestly his work in Superbad and Juno had more to do with getting him in front of major audiences than AD ever did. You don't see Tony Hale everywhere and he was brilliantly funny on AD. Cera took his shtick and picked some nice parts. Hell he's got the Nick Twisp thing coming out too.
I honestly cannot comprehend this idea that Cera owes them anything. It was a job and it's over.
Ron Howard can fully understand what it means to walk away from a show for better career opportunities.
Cera is headlining movies. AD he would be part of an ensemble for a film version of a show that was a failure. Career-wise it makes no sense.
6-15-2009 @ 6:58PM
SunKing said...
Having loved the TV series, I'm not all that hyped for the film, simply because the format doesn't really compliment its brand of comedy.
I'm really curious, though, as to why Michael Cera doesn't want to do it. Maybe it's something to do with his agent?
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6-25-2009 @ 6:40PM
treestar said...
I don't understand why people are automatically assuming that the movie version is going to be disappointing. They haven't even made it yet! At least give it a chance, then complain how unlike the show it is and how crappy a job you think they did. If the original creator of the show has anything to do with the movie, we can at least hope it wont be terrible. We know the show was great. Besides the show ended un resolved, there are so many looses ends I for one would like to see tied up. Even if Michael Cera isnt in it, I am still going to see it!
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