Article by Jessica Goebel
Jason Bateman looked adorable as ever on the red carpet at last Sunday’s Oscars, but the “Juno” star may have been feeling a little self-conscious about his hair. “He’s a weirdo with blonde highlights,” Bateman rushed, when asked to explain his character Dominic Foy in “State of Play,” which is currently filming — hence, the Seacrest-esque blonde tips.
As fans of the BBC miniseries on which the flick is based, we are tickled by the casting of Bateman as Mr. Foy, a sleazy weasel prone to gaudy fashion staples like fur coats and tinted glasses. If only his character’s fashion cues had affected Bateman’s red carpet duds as well as his ‘do.
But, let’s back up a bit. “State of Play” is a crime thriller surrounding the mysterious murder of an elected official’s mistress. Ben Affleck plays the embroiled lawmaker, Stephen Collins. Russell Crowe is the journalist friend to the congressman, who attempts to solve the murder to exonerate Collins - and sell newspapers. Robin Wright Penn and Rachel McAdams round out the star-studded cast.
“I’m shooting ‘State of Play’ right now,” explained the red-hot Bateman, who also finds himself in the Judd Apatow flick “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” and in Will Smith’s “Hancock.”
But enough’s enough, Jason! You promised that when the strike was over, the “Arrested Development” crew would begin getting a script in shape for the movie. So, what’s the latest?
“Well, the ball has started rolling down the hill again,” he revealed. “So hopefully, all the adults can get the business stuff together - because all the creatives are on board.”
For a shot in the dark (hey, you gotta try), we asked Bateman whether the movie’s tone would be more structured (a la Season 1) or random insanity (Season 3): “I don’t know,” he shrugged. “I learned a long time ago not to try to guess what [series creator] Mitch Hurwitz will come up with. But it’ll be good, whatever it is.”
Superhero-movie star, political thriller actor, or soon-to-return TV character? Whatever you want to call Jason Bateman, this much is clear: Hollywood is calling upon him quite a bit these days.
