Finally, some good news involving Michael Cera.

Even the sad news about Defamer can't take the shine off this story they reported today: Michael Cera is finally onboard for the Arrested Development movie. According to the source, shooting could start "this winter" (which presumably means next winter, i.e. Winter 2010).

So many "long national nightmares" have ended recently that Fosco can barely keep track of them. But yes, another long national nightmare is over.

In related casting news, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal has signed on to play the role of Waiter #3 in the film. Clearly, it's an excellent choice.

News Roundup: Gov. Sunshine, Man-Goblin, and the Bluth family

Governor Sunshine's post-impeachment press conference was absolutely thrilling, especially the desperation that sneaks into his voice as he offers to play basketball with some local kid. This is fun of the highest order.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

But, there were actually loads of other neat items in the news today. Here's a roundup:

• File under "good news." As per Defamer, Jeffrey Tambor assures "Arrested Development" fans that Michael Cera will definitely participate in the AD movie. Cera's participation had been in question, but Pop Pop has confidence that he can persuade Cera if necessary. Fosco once saw Mr. Tambor live (when Fosco was a member of the studio audience of "Regis and Kathie Lee"--don't ask) and his personal charisma is considerable. I believe he can make this movie happen.
  
  
• You may remember Fosco's admiration for Brenda "Wire-haired Man-goblin" Warner. Well, Brenda and her husband, Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner, are the subject of an inspirational email that is making the rounds of all well-meaning middle-aged Christian women who don't understand the meaning of the word "spam." You know, like Fosco's Aunt Bonnie.
  
  According to Deadspin, the email tells the heart-warming story of "Kurtis and Brenda," two crazy kids with little in common except an inexplicable physical attraction and a burning love for Christ. The email plays up lots of more Christian-y aspects of the couple's courtship (yet is curiously silent on the subject of saddlebacking). The best part of the story, however, is all the basic facts that it gets wrong, and usually in such a way as to make the story less interesting (oddly enough). Here's a quote from the Deadspin piece:
  

  Brenda was never a checkout girl. She met Kurt when he was still in college and before his career took its unfortunate turn for the worse. (She actually stuck with him, despite his many football failures.) They were together five years before they got married, not one. Her son, Zachary, is actually her oldest child and he doesn't have Down's Syndrome. His birth father dropped him on his head when he was an infant, leading to brain damage and blindness. (The trauma of that incident let to the father leaving Brenda, while she was pregnant with her second child.) Also, left out: the tornado that killed Brenda's parents in 1996; the spider bite that cost Kurt a tryout with the Bears; and Brenda's first career as a freakin' Marine.

  Wow. Put that all together and I think you have the best white trash epic since The Grapes of Wrath.
  
  
• And that Steinbeck reference provides a nice segue to this bit of local news from the San Jose Mercury News. A restaurant war on Monterey's Fisherman's Wharf has erupted and it's gotten nasty. Apparently, the hosts at one restaurant have been dumping another restaurant's pagers into the ocean. It happens like this (now follow along here, it gets a little complicated):
  
  1. Prospective customers go to Restaurant 1 where they are placed on a waitlist and given a pager.
     
  2. Prospective customers walk along the wharf while they wait for their pager to summon them.
     
  3. Prospective customers are accosted by the host at Restaurant 2 who notes that they can be seated immediately at said Restaurant 2.
     
  4. When the prospective customers agree to be seated at Restaurant 2, the host at Restaurant 2 claims that he/she will return the unneeded pager to Restaurant 1.
     
  5. Restaurant 2 host does not return the pager, but rather drops it into into Monterey Bay, where it immediately becomes a choking hazard for curious sea lions. Okay, I made up the sea lion part.
  Believe it or not, this sequence of events was established in a sting by two undercover police officers (Monterey doesn't have drugs or murder, apparently). A diver(!) "reportedly discovered seven pagers on the sea floor under [Restaurant 2]. During another dive, three more pagers were found."
  

Michael Cera prepared to RUIN EVERYTHING

In recent weeks, we've been watching as the "Arrested Development" movie comes closer to reality. Last we heard, the holdup was the (unfortunately) indispensable portrayer of George Michael Bluth, Michael Cera. Well, today the news gets worse.

According to a report at Defamer, Cera recently

explained that he wouldn't sign on because there's no script yet. Of course, as creator Mitch Hurwitz has explained, there won't be a script until Hurwitz knows for sure which cast members are coming back. What a hilarious, Arrested-worthy Möbius strip of stalled misunderstandings. We are never getting this movie.

Right. It only makes sense to want to see a script first. Because clearly Michael Cera needs to know more about the character he will be playing. I mean, without a script, Michael Cera might end up signing on to a movie in which his character has to kiss his cousin or something.

Please, Michael Cera: the economy is crumbling, BSG is ending, and I have a cold. FOSCO NEEDS THIS MOVIE.

Happy Birthday, Carl Weathers

A happy birthday wish today to "actor" Carl Weathers. Carl Weathers is worth a thought today primarily for his work on "Arrested Development," playing some version of himself. A version of himself that is miserly and opportunistic. It's a great self-skewering, and Weathers deserves kudos for playing it to the hilt.

Here's a great Carl Weathers clip from the show:



This seems like a good time to note today's news on the Arrested Development movie. There appears to be only one obstacle to it at this point: the indecision of George Michael Bluth, Michael Cera. But don't worry, the AD team has their best guy on it--the handsome and talented Jason Bateman. According to Bateman,

"I think you really have to get him on the phone to get his answer about whether he's going to come back and do it or not. I know he's thinking about it, and we're all awaiting some finality to that."

"I do feel bad that people are a little misinformed about what's going on with him," Bateman said. "He's certainly not said that he won't do it. I think he's, you know, Michael is clearly the guy that has come out of 'Arrested Development' with a very, very big plate. And so I think he's trying to really give some responsible thought to what makes sense for him to do with his career.

"The guy's 20 years old and I'm sure he doesn't want to screw up this opportunity, and trying to figure out whether an 'Arrested Development' film would be right for him and his future, I think, again, he's just trying to give responsible time to that decision. And he may or may not have come to a decision. I really can't speak to that."

Of course, we all know the what the responsible decision is here. That is, if Michael Cera doesn't want everyone to hate him forever. Forever!

UPDATE (1/15/08): Ack! Fosco just learned that January 14 is also the birthday of handsome and talented Jason Bateman! It's an AD twofer. Happy Belated, JB.

Even closer...

According to reports today, the Arrested Development movie is closer.


Even better, we have a clue to the plot. From AD creator Mitch Hurwitz:

"We have a story in place. It's basically 'Valkyrie' meets 'Hotel for Dogs.'"

This is going to be so cool.

Closer...

"Arrested Development" Film Tracker: Mega Update from Defamer

From the Aztec Tomb...

It's closer... I can almost taste it! As Fosco mentioned recently, there is the tantalizing possibility of an "Arrested Development" movie.

To help you understand just exactly the domino of events that need to take place for such a wonderful thing to happen, Defamer has put together a handy "Arrested Development" film tracker. Fosco has "borrowed" it and presents it for you here:

It seems like the major problem at this point is the "NO" from box office powergeek Michael Cera.

As far as Fosco is concerned, an AD movie is just not possible without George Michael. Is it time for a "Draft Michael Cera" web campaign (www.draftmichaelcera.com)? Do any of you readers happen to... know him?

Bad News, Good News

While it looks like Fosco's beloved "Pushing Daisies" is in real danger of being canceled (and yet, the CSI: Miami Beach continues unabated its war against neurons...), Fosco's buddy Todd passed along some good news:

there will be an "Arrested Development" movie!
Or is this news premature?

Because you gotta believe, Fosco is going to assume that the movie will happen and will happen soon. Then, the only question Fosco needs answered is whether the entire original cast will be willing to participate. And can Liza be unfrozen for a cameo?

The Final Countdown

Okay, if you haven't watched the best television show of this decade, Arrested Development, this post will be less enjoyable (although if you like to laugh at amateur magicians, you still might find this worth your while).

From an article in yesterday's Santa Cruz Sentinel: "There is magic in the air when the Coastal Magicians Club meets at the Live Oak Senior Center."

Granted, it's no "Magician's Alliance"; however, the club does seem pretty worthy of Gob Bluth.

According to the past-president, "Red Malone":

"My tricks cost me about $150 these days" said Malone, who regularly buys the secrets of how to do tricks and the materials needed from Hocus Pocus Magic Shop in Fresno.

Not tricks, Michael. Illusions.