Arrested Development Returns

Written by Jon Williams

Bluth fans rejoice—Netflix has announced a May 26 release date for the fourth season of Arrested Development. The comedy series, which stars Jason Bateman, Jeffrey Tambor, Portia de Rossi, Will Arnett, and Michael Cera as the dysfunctional Bluth family, ran for three seasons on the Fox network. It was cancelled in 2006 despite critical acclaim and a legion of die-hard fans. That dedicated audience played into Netflix’s decision to revive the series.

Likewise, there’s good news for fans of Veronica Mars. Like Arrested Development, Veronica Mars ran for three years as a series, on UPN and the CW. Kristen Bell starred as a high school college student who spent her free time working as a private investigator. The show ended in 2007. Although it has not been picked up as a new series, it has been announced that a feature-length movie is in the works. The effort to make the movie was helped by the crowdfunding website Kickstarter, which many believe may become a force in the creation of many future films.

Here are a few other shows ripe for a revival.

Friday Night Lights: In the words of Tim Riggins, “Texas forever.” Leaving behind the world surrounding high school football in Dillon, Texas, wasn’t easy for anyone. Talk of a movie has been around since the series’ five-season run ended in 2011, but those plans are still up in the air.

24: The show went off the air in 2010, but the world still needs Jack Bauer. Movie talks have also swirled around this popular show since its end. Take heart, though: the latest word from Kiefer Sutherland indicates that plans are moving forward, possibly to begin filming this summer. Stay tuned.

Firefly: This short-lived (just one season?!) TV show dealt with the exploits of a band of pirates in space. It actually did spawn a movie follow-up, Serenity, in 2005, but that still isn’t enough for those who love the show. Something tells me if Joss Whedon launched this show today, it might get a little bit more of a chance.

Smallville: OK, so this show, about Clark Kent’s coming of age as Superman, enjoyed a full ten-season run. Still, fans were hoping that star Tom Welling would get the chance to feature in a big-screen blockbuster. They’ll have to content themselves with Henry Cavill as the Man of Steel, in theaters June 14.

What are some shows you’d like to see resurrected, either as films or back in production as series? Let us know in the comments section below.