Jason Bateman On ‘Arrested Development’ Reunion: ‘It Was Only A Matter Of Time’

It’s been more than six years since Arrested Development was cancelled, and fans have entertained rumors of renewal or a reunion movie ever since. The more time went by, and respective actors and actresses moved on in their careers, the less likely it seemed, but series star Jason Bateman says he always knew the Bluth family would come back together sooner or later.

“It was something that, every month or two since the end of the show, there would be an update about the progress [about some kind of reunion], so it wasn’t that big of a shock when it happened, because it always seemed like it was a half a year from happening anyway,” Bateman says in an interview with GQ.

But thinking it’s going to happen and seeing it happen are different things, says Bateman. Even he’s surprised they managed to get everyone back on board.

“When we did finally all come together on the set, it was pretty neat. I just don’t know how many examples there are of that — where people get to come back and do a reunion-type situation and have it not be a bit of a Hail Mary, career-wise. That show launched a lot of our careers and everyone is doing great, so to come back together while things are going well is really a fortunate situation. Everybody had to be big boys about not making it financially impossible.”

He’s not the only one who’s excited, either. In a separate interview, Arrested Development guest star Mae Whitman (who played George Michael’s awkward on-again, off-again girlfriend) said that she geeked out on the set when she finally saw everyone back together again.

“Man, it was amazing. It really was a trip, too, because some of the people I’ve kept in touch with and some of them I haven’t,” Whitman said. “You love everybody so much, so it was so exciting to see everybody, but it was really weird being back in the penthouse that was completely rebuilt.”

Whitman continued, “I’m looking around and seeing everybody sitting there in their same wardrobe and being back with those same characters.”

Back to Bateman, what is he planning to do after Arrested Development? He’s already a hot comedic commodity in Hollywood, but he really wants to balance acting with directing.

“I’d like it to be more like George Clooney’s career or Ben Stiller’s career or Ben Affleck’s career as far as splitting the time between acting and directing,” he admitted.

But there’s one job Bateman is eye-balling for “retirement.” Talk show host.

“Without getting too specific about it, I’ve thought seriously about it,” Bateman says. “I was talking to Amanda [his wife] about in twenty years — when the girls go to college and we can finally move to New York, which is what I’ve been wanting to do forever — if television will have me, I would love to do that. Regis retired at what, 80? So, in twenty years I’ll be 64. To host a talk show then, that would be a fun way to do the last bit.”

Are you a fan of Jason Bateman? Are you excited for the Arrested Development reunion?