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Jason Bateman’s “baggage” almost cost him the role that saved his career: “This could be bad luck”
Jason Bateman's casting as Michael Bluth in Arrested Development, the role that revitalised his career, was nearly derailed by scepticism from the show's creator. Director Joe Russo has revealed that Mitchell Hurwitz was reluctant to hire Bateman, viewing him as a risky choice due to his history of appearing in cancelled pilots, and it reportedly took four studio visits before he was cast.
Russo explained that Hurwitz feared Bateman's run of failed shows amounted to "baggage" that could bring bad luck to the new project. Despite these doubts, Bateman's understated, straight-man performance proved essential to the sitcom, which ran for three seasons on Fox from 2003 before being cancelled and later revived by Netflix for two further seasons. The show is now regarded as one of the most influential comedies of its era, and its success helped launch Bateman into further film roles, including Horrible Bosses and Game Night.
In short
- Arrested Development's creator nearly rejected Jason Bateman as Michael Bluth
- Director Joe Russo says it took four studio visits to cast him
- Bateman's past failed pilots made him seem a risky "bad luck" hire
Explained simply
Arrested Development is a comedy about the wealthy Bluth family, whose business and fortunes collapse after the family patriarch is arrested. Jason Bateman played Michael Bluth, the son trying to keep the family together. His restrained style helped balance the show’s more eccentric characters.
The series was created by Mitchell Hurwitz and first aired on Fox in 2003. It ran for three seasons before being cancelled, then returned for two more seasons on Netflix. Its mix of family satire and recurring jokes influenced later television comedies, while Bateman’s role helped bring him renewed attention as an actor.