‘Arrested Development’: The wait may be over

In October, the beloved TV series announced its return — and big-screen ambitions — after a five-year hiatus.

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"Arrested Development," the beloved comedy that ended its madcap run in 2006 after three seasons on Fox, is making a comeback. Creator Mitch Hurwitz and members of the cast confirmed Oct. 2 at the New Yorker Festival that new episodes and a long-planned movie will start production next summer.

/ Reuters

"Arrested Development" was critically praised from the minute it premiered on Nov. 2, 2003. It also developed a cadre of devoted fans, but not enough to bump up its modest Nielsen ratings.

/ AP

The series rejuvenated and/or kickstarted the careers of many of its stars, including Will Arnett, who played irresponsible, Segway-riding Gob Bluth, older brother of Michael (Jason Bateman).

Peter Iovino / Fox

Bateman, a TV and movie veteran, got a definite career boost from his straight-man work on "Arrested Development." Michael Cera -- aka George Michael Bluth -- also landed major film roles after the show ended, including on in an Oscar-nominated film that also starred Bateman: "Juno."

/ Fox

At the New Yorker Festival, Hurwitz denied long-standing rumors that Cera was the lone cast member who refused to commit to the movie. "I kind of was perpetuating a little thing, like, wouldn’t it be funny if Michael Cera was the holdout. Let’s put that out there," he reportedly told the crowd, adding "Then it really turned ugly, quickly."

/ Fox

Jessica Walter, the martini-sipping, sarcastic matriarch of the Bluth family, is on board for the revamped project. One can only hope that her friendly rivalry with Lucille Austero (Liza Minelli) will factor into the plot.

Sam Urdank / Fox

Hurwitz has been tight-lipped about exactly what the plot of the "Arrested Development" movie will be. Will Jeffrey Tambor reprise his dual roles as George Sr. and his long-haired twin brother Oscar? Unclear.

Sam Urdank / Fox

David Cross -- who starred on the show as the sexually ambiguous, Blue Man Group hopeful Tobias Funke, husband of Lindsay Bluth/Funke -- is also on board for the episodes/movie.

Sam Urdank / Fox

In one of the show's many inspired uses of meta-humor, Justine Bateman, sister of Jason, guest-starred in a season-three episode of "Arrested Development."

Isabella Vosmikova / AP

As on "Seinfeld," there was little hugging and learning on "Arrested Development." Sometimes, though, there was illegal activity, practical jokes involving stripper cops and choking between siblings.

/ AP

There are still some unknowns regarding the "Arrested Development" reboot, including which studios will back the project and which network will air it. But now that every key cast member has their schedules locked in, the Bluth family comeback looks more likely than it ever has.

Sam Urdank / AP

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‘Arrested Development’: The wait may be over

In October, the beloved TV series announced its return — and big-screen ambitions­­ — after a five-year hiatus.

Featured Photo Galleries

In October, the beloved TV series announced its return — and big-screen ambitions — after a five-year hiatus.