Jason Bateman (1).jpg

Less than a month ago I spoke with Jason Bateman and managed to get updates on "Hancock 2" and "Arrested Development". At the time, nothing had been officially announced regarding a "Hancock" sequel, and Jason didn't think the story had any substance. But in the past month, Adam Fierro and Glen Mazzara have been hired to write the screenplay, and Variety reported "Will Smith, Charlize Theron and Jason Bateman are gearing up to reunite for the sequel to Columbia Pictures' "Hancock," with Peter Berg set to helm the action-comedy."

But earlier today when I covered the "Couples Retreat" international press day for our partners at Omelete, Jason told me, "I don't know where that writer gets their information from as I haven't been contacted, nor have my representatives."

More after the jump...including another update on "Arrested Development" and Jason reveals what he got as a wrap gift on the upcoming Pegg/Frost/Mottola film "Paul".

The first thing you should do is watch this video. It's part of my interview with Jason Bateman and "Couples Retreat" co-star Kristen Bell. In this video, Jason addresses the "Hancock 2" story. Then, further down the page, you can read Jason's latest comments about the "Arrested Development" movie plus he reveals what he got as a wrap gift "Paul" movie. Trust me: It's an AWESOME gift.

I was told by Mr. Simon Pegg to ask you what was your gift at the end of the Paul shoot?

jason_bateman_03.jpg

Jason Bateman: (laughing) He and Nick and Joe Lo Truglio and Bill Hader and Kristen (Wiig) and the director, Greg Mottola, gave me the Japanese one-sheet from "Teen Wolf 2". Which was pretty fantastic. And they all signed it with really clunky, semi-funny wolf puns like, "it's been a howl working with you" or crap like that. It's very, very funny and beautifully framed and very tasteful - which was sort of hilarious too. But the real joke was me trying to get it home. I don't know how you check something like that. I couldn't carry it on. So it cost me a lot to ship it back, but I'll bill them for that.

Did you put it up in your place?

No. You can probably bid on it on eBay right now. I don't know where I'm going to put it. I told them immediately as I saw it, "my wife's never going to let me put that up in the house." So we're going to have to wait till we can afford a house with a room where fun stuff goes. It was pretty cool of them though, they're a nice group.

What's up with "Arrested Development"?

It's still being written and my guess would be we'll do it sometime next year. My fingers are crossed.

So what's your expectations?

I would assume it's not going to be anything more than a long episode. I don't think there's any need to go further than that. I think it might be wrong to. Hopefully, people will be willing to pay money to see what will amount to be three or four new episodes all stuck together as one long one. I don't know. Hopefully interest has not waned cause selfishly we all want to get back together and do it again. So hopefully there will be enough people to see it to break even.

arrested_development_tv_show_image__4_.jpg