George Bluth had a saying: “There’s always money in the banana stand.” And Mitch Hurwitz, creator of “Arrested Development” – the Fox sitcom that was canceled before its time but was resurrected on DVD – realizes there’s probably some money in the multiplex, too.
According to industry reports and entertainment blogs and websites, Hurwitz and fellow executive producer Ron Howard, who narrated the show, are preparing to produce an “Arrested Development” movie. Most of the cast and crew are signed on, too, except Michael Cera. Since the show was canceled, the 20-year-old has starred in hit films like “Superbad” and “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist,” but first establishing his soft-spoken strength for subtly awkward encounters and shoe-gazing as George-Michael Bluth, George Bluth’s grandson, who lusted for his cousin, Maeby.
“I’m a little disappointed in him,” said Samantha Solomon, a junior communications studies major and president of the NU and Improv’d comedy troupe. “It’s where he got his start, and why he gets to play George-Michael in every movie he’s been in since. I think he owes it to the fans and to the cast to come back and be in this movie.”
The show saw its popularity grow exponentially after its cancellation in February 2006 as, in droves, viewers discovered the program on DVD. Today, the show remains a top-seller on Amazon.com and at local chain Newbury Comics; it’s also among the most rented TV shows from Blockbuster and Netflix. Now Hurwitz, who also wrote the series, and Howard say they’re close to finalizing deals with Imagine and Fox Searchlight for a feature-length film, according to a November story in the magazine Hollywood Reporter.
“Ever since it went off the air, people have been talking about it coming back, about there being a movie,” said Candice Springer, a senior journalism and East Asian studies major, who blogs about pop culture and entertainment. “And at this point, me and so many others have been anticipating it for so long, that we’re like, let’s just see anything.”
At Northeastern, and colleges across the country, the show is among the most popular TV programs on or off the air. According to Facebook’s Lexicon feature, which charts interests listed on users’ profile pages, “Arrested Development” ranks high as a common favorite.
“It becomes a conversation piece. You can say, ‘Did you see the ‘Arrested Development’ episode where this happened?’ and it becomes a way to connect,” Springer said. “You can watch it over and over again, and you never get sick of it.”
While Hollywood wrangles with the details for a potential “Arrested Development” movie, fans might as well heat up some Pop Secret and get ready for a long wait.
