During an Arrested Development cast reunion at yesterday's New Yorker Festival it was revealed that the cult US TV show could be returning to our small screens for a short season before the oft mooted film version hits the big screen. Why is this announcement different than the ones we've had in the past? Well it came from the WHOLE CAST, not just one member trying to get something moving. According to TV Line, series creator Michael Hurwitz is planning a 9 or 10 episode mini-season with each focusing on an individual member of the family thus alleviating any scheduling conflicts that have so far proven problematic in getting the film off the ground. The new episodes would then act as a bridge between the final episodes of season three and the movie. Deadline then further confirmed the story saying it will be a 20th Century Fox, Netflix and Showtime production. Arrested Development ran for three seasons from 2003 to 2006 and despite falling viewing figures gained a massive cult following around the world. The show followed the exploits of the Bluth family, a wealthy but dysfunctional family on the brink of disaster when their father is imprisoned for fraud. It falls to Michael Bluth (Jason Bateman) to take control of the family finances and keep the family together. In addition to Bateman the Bluth family includes Will Arnet, Michael Cera, David Cross, Jeffrey Tambor, Portia De Rossi, Alia Shawkat, Tony Hale and Jessica Walter all of whom were present at yesterdays reunion. Bateman later confirmed on Twitter that;
"It's true. We will do ten episodes and the movie. Probably shoot them all together next summer for a release in early 2013. VERY excited!"
It has been five years since the final episode aired and the idea of a film version has been off and on so many times most fans had given up hope that it would ever actually happen. Today's news will have fans jumping for joy as it seems we are a step closer to the reality of Arrested Development finally making a comeback.