Last winter, Jeffrey Tambor, the actor who played the scheming patriarch in Fox’s brilliant, underwatched and now-cancelled Arrested Development appeared on The Ron & Fez Show on XM radio, saying that there was a “real push” to get a movie version of the TV series made. Then this summer, lead actor Jason Bateman also seemed to confirm that the wheels were in motion for the a film version of Arrested. A hefty container of water was thrown on the fire last month when Michael Cera disavowed any knowledge of such a film, and expressed doubt that Arrested fans would even want to see an Arrested movie.

Now from Collider comes the latest twist in the creation of the Arrested Development movie. Steve “Frosty” Weintraub spoke with Tambor at an event to promote Hellboy 2 and asked him if he was sick of people asking about the Arrested movie. Shockingly, Tambor responded as follows:

Well no, because we’re doing it. We are going. It’s a go. I just actually this week talked to Mitch Hurwitz, so we’re doing it.

Clearly taken aback by the positive response, Frosty pressed for details, as any Arrested fan would. After all, we’ve been through too much to have our hopes let down again. Was there a start-time? A script? Tambor, referring to Hurwitz, said:

No, but when the writer calls you, the director and the executive producer calls you, it’s a pretty good sign.

Color me skeptical. Several obstacles stand in the way of this movie getting made, the most significant of which seems to be getting the sprawling cast back together again, many of whom have continued on to impressive careers in TV and film. A small, dying, withered part of my soul still wants to see the gang reunited for one last redemptive chance at showing the whole movie world what a unique and fantastic phenomenon Arrested Development truly was, but until I hear something more solid, I really can’t risk being disappointed again. The constant threat (and subsequent reality) of cancellation back when the show was still on the air…That was already almost too much to bear.

Make sure you head on over to Collider to check out the rest of Frosty’s great interview.

  • Max E.
    As a big fan of the show ( i know I'm not in a minority here) I really hope this is real. More than anything I want another reuniting of the group. Only because they were so perfect together. I really hope they don't F**K it up. That's my only concern, because they really, really could.
  • Conor
    Just made my day. Thank you so much for this news.
  • /ambient
    Arrested Development is one of my all time favorite television shows. I'd love to see a movie version just because I don't think the show reached its full potential. The stories and characters were so well written, I cannot stand to see a movie version of this wonderful program suffer from production limbo.

    I'd give up watching 10 Ron Howard movies for one Arrested Development movie.
  • I personally think this entire cast would make a movie their top priority. And that's saying a lot for a TV show.
  • Tobias
    I just hope they don't prematurely blow their wad because then they would have a mess on their hands...
  • Cody
    I am excited. I feel like the pre-production story of this, what will hopefully be created, film is extraordinary. These updates are an excellent way to enhance the day.
  • Big-O
    Please, please, please let this be true. This just made the rest of my day.

    The tears are coming. Someone get over here and taste the happy!
  • Obso1337
    When dealing with something great and canceled I always assume it will stay dead. Sometimes you get a great surprise like with Firefly, but usually it's the safe choice. This way my little geek heart can't be toyed with.
    I'll believe there is an AD movie when I see actual footage of Bateman and Cera. :-/
  • Yeah, like the guy in the $5,000 suit really cares about a movie based on that show. C'MON!
  • Skip This Ad
    I might have to pop a Temocil if this is finally a go.
  • J
    YES! Also I think they could get the cast back. Bateman and obviouslly Tamborn wanna do it, Will Arnett has expressed interest in it, David Cross and they guy plays Buster I bet would. So I definitely see everyone coming back, except Michael Cera who i could see not wanting to do this, seriously all Arrested Development fans would wanna see this!
  • Ken
    Happy happy day! This is the only movie I care about seeing in the next few years! I think it will do so well at the cinema, can't wait!
  • Pill
    I love the show, but I don't want a shitty movie after the fact. What I loved about Arrested Development was its length and format, the episodes were short and punchy and it ended in its prime. Why does everything have to be rehashed and sullied?
  • MonkeyMafia
    Tear...
  • Gajonka
    why? its a television show. IT BELONGS ON TELEVISION! OH CHRIST !!!!
  • This makes me happy, but I agree with Gajonka a little bit.. I don't want to see the X-Files effect happen to Arrested..
  • L. Ron Hubbard
    This is outstanding! I think we should consider hiring an analrapist. Oh... oh no, I just blue myself.
  • Meg
    No freaking way! God I hope this happens. So damn awesome.

    If Cera says no, just send George Michael off to college or something. There has to be a way to make it all work.

    I just blue myself.
  • Gobias
    somebody call Carl Weathers! I bet he's got a stew goin' for sure!
  • Jamie
    Just remember that David Duchovny said they were making an X-Files 2 for about 7 years.

    I think all the talent and writer/producers will do this movie, it's just a matter of the studio paying for it...
  • Bob Bablaw
    Please make this happen. Please?
  • I just blue myself.
  • lilmouse
    Oh God, please do it. And please don't deviate from the concept that made the show nothing short of brilliant. "It ain't easy being white, it ain't easy being brown...."
  • Iron Matt
    If I go on this site tomorrow and I read a headline that says they're stopping any form of production on this movie, I'm going to have to take a Forget-Me-Now so that I'll never remember how high my hopes were.
  • NC-17forkids
    I wonder if they would bleep out the cursing, just to keep it true to the series. I always that that added to the comedic element, especially in the episode where Buster loses it and goes off about Lucille. Classic.
  • I really have trouble believing this will happen. It seem like every time a series is cancelled early there's always those rumors about either being picked up by another network or have a movie made. It seems like this has been a "done deal" since the series was cancelled.
  • Vin
    The great thing about this possibility is that I think it could actually be a hit. America has started to shift in it's humor (maybe even mature?), in that it leans much more towards quirky, eccentric styles. Think about the rise of Apatow, the Office, Juno, etc.

    I don't know if people will have the incentive, but, if marketing and media buzz is right (there will be a field day over this) a large enough audience will be there. Plus, I'm sure if it is truly to form, and does it's thang, I could see an Oscar going it's way.
  • JJ
    hey Spalding... theres gotta be a better way to say that...
  • Alec
    I wish I had some Forget-Me-Nows so I could hear this news all over again.

    This is so great to hear, I really hope this isn't just someone making stuff up to get a reporter off their back. I am crossing my fingers for this one.
  • Ryan W
    I would love to see this happen, but there is no way it will be a money maker and it may therefore not be greenlit. There are just too many inside jokes, running gags and call-back jokes for every viewer to understand the brilliance of AD. So for the hardcore fans like myself, this will probably be our favorite movie ever, but it will by no means revive the series or make any significant money. Sorry for being real but don't hold your breath AD fans. Although, don't get me wrong, you will get some hop-ons.
  • Andrew
    For every X-Files and Sex and the City, there is a Serenity that kept the tempo and essentials that made Firefly such an interesting story. Here's hoping for the best and lets start the final countdown.
  • rachel summers
    please be real, god.
  • I would love for this to happen. Arrested Development is one of my all time favorite shows.
  • Fred
    I think this will be the comedy movie of the decade! Could and should be a mega-hit with the right buzz and marketing. Go for it!
  • jeff
    ARRESTED DEV. DOCUMENTARY
    Check out the newest trailer at:

    www.youtube.com/watch?v=9T-XMYyGiMg


    www.arresteddevlopmentdoc.com
  • awesome.i love the show
    Style your statement and create a musical blog on at www.uploaded.tv with your short portfolio
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