Comments on: Why Do People Want an 'Arrested Development' Film?

By: Mike

Mike — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 18:40:43 +0000

I would generally agree with the thought process behind this article. How could a TV show that failed to not only survive it's original home on Fox, but fail to be picked up on Showtime, make it on the main screen?

That said, a lot has happened since the cancelation of the show. Michael Cerra has been a huge success on the big screen. He's a hot ticket with the younger audience. Will Arnett has had several successful movies since AD was canceled – he'll bring the Frat Boy audience. And Jason Bateman has also seen success since AD – he'll bring the middle-aged audience that has watched him grow up from his teens.

I think with a movie, you'll see a lot of new interest in AD. When the TV show was on, not many people knew who the cast was – although, loyal followers were very familiar. Now that those 3 have seen great success in movies, I think a whole new audience will be curious what all the fuss was about. Who knows, a successful movie could spawn a revival of the show on Showtime or HBO…where it belongs. A major network was not the right place for this show.

By: Christopher Scarr

Christopher Scarr — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 16:43:02 +0000

While part of me really wishes this wasn't the case, it's true, and there's evidence. Firefly was a major cult hit as well. The fans clamoured about it so much that eventually Serenity was made. The fans massively supported the movie, all secretly (as nobody wanted to jinx it) hoping the movie's success would lead to the show being picked up again. The movie failed to find much of an audience beyond the diehards, did poorly, and has left everyone involved feeling doubtful of anything else coming from it. A comedy has slightly more potential than a sci-fi western (or western sci-fi?) for crossover appeal, but it faces the same problems.

I enjoyed Serenity and will enjoy an AD film if it is made. I just don't know how many other people will.

By: GregM

GregM — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 16:27:41 +0000

Take a look at the pic above the fold. Now imagine being the Fox exec that pulled the short straw and has to somehow renegotiate contracts for season 4. Bateman and Cera are getting sent feature scripts, Arnett's signing v/o contracts, deRossi's half goddess, and the rest of the cast's agents know that AD isn't AD without their client. And I can only imagine what kind of license fee Howard and Co demanded.

The truth is Fox gave this show 53 eps to find an audience that was actually willing to turn on a TV Sunday night (then Monday, then Friday… they didn't try Wednesday though; I bet the show would have been a hit if they gave it a shot at Wednesday). Nobody watched, at least not enough to justify the rising above the line costs. Think about this, 53 episodes is more than double the entire series of Extras and The Office (UK) combined!

The movie will open, regardless of script and timing, simply because all of the fans that only watched the show after borrowing someone else's DVDs might actually put some money down for a movie ticket.

By: Justin

Justin — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 11:03:56 +0000

That David Cross clip was awesome!

By: Tom

Tom — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 00:32:51 +0000

With respect, I generally disagree with this article's thrust. Im in the UK and the show is always held up as the paragon of American comedy. I think the fanbase is pretty damn massive and I'm also sure the writers and cast are smart enough to make it a true, hysterical comedy, which is accessible to a new viewer while remaining true to the characters and humour. Can't wait to see this and I think it will do surprisingly well at the box office.

/new fan, as of four months ago.