George Clooney will return to TV, almost 20 years after leaving “ER”
Dr. Doug Ross is heading back to TV! Well, sort of. The actor behind the ER character — you know, GEORGE CLOONEY — will return to the small screen for a limited series based on Catch-22. And we’re so happy to have him back!
The Ocean’s Eleven and Up in the Air actor will star in, direct, and executive produce the six-part limited series that’s based on Joseph Heller’s novel of the same name.
It’s a popular high school read, as you’ll probably recall, that was previously adapted into a feature in 1970.
“Set in Italy during World War II, this is the story of the incomparable, malingering bombardier, Yossarian, a hero who is furious because thousands of people he has never met are trying to kill him,” a description of the book reads. “But his real problem is not the enemy — it is his own army, which keeps increasing the number of missions the men must fly to complete their service.”
The description continues, “Yet if Yossarian makes any attempt to excuse himself from the perilous missions he’s assigned, he’ll be in violation of Catch-22, a hilariously sinister bureaucratic rule: a man is considered insane if he willingly continues to fly dangerous combat missions, but if he makes a formal request to be removed from duty, he is proven sane and therefore ineligible to be relieved.”
So, what can we expect from George Clooney? He’ll star as antagonist Colonel Cathcart.
And where is this show we’ll definitely watch at now? Filming is expected to kick off in early 2018 and the show will be made for Paramount TV and Anonymous Content. Grant Heslov will also direct and Luke Davies and David Michôd will write, according to The Hollywood Reporter, which broke the Clooney news.
As for the famed actor’s TV past: He’s had numerous TV roles (Roseanne, The Facts of Life), but is probably best known for ER. He appeared on the show between 1994 and 1999, and left to pursue a career in film. (And like, seems fair to say that worked out pretty well for him.) He appeared on the show a couple times after his official departure, and has had a couple small TV roles since (A Very Murray Christmas, anyone??).
But Catch-22 marks his first major onscreen return to television, and ABOUT TIME GEORGE CLOONEY! We’ve missed you!
