Bateman

Jason Bateman talks a forthcoming Arrested Development movie and the arc of his career. (Times Online)

He has just finished a role in the Hollywood film version of the British TV drama State of Play opposite Russell Crowe and Ben Affleck, playing the character of Dominic Foy, the part originally taken by Marc Warren. The director was the Scottish wunderkind Kevin Macdonald (The Last King of Scotland).

“In this version Foy is a bisexual fetish club promoter who has some information that Russell's character wants, which he is not willing to give. It's about a 15-page segment of the film and my character goes from A to Z in 15 pages.”

Bateman also confesses that starring in the lead role in films terrifies him and that coming second to someone like Will Smith makes him feel more comfortable. “If I am going to do a comedy, I might be near the top of the call sheet and then if it succeeds or fails, it's going to be down to me. In drama, I am protected by big stars above me. Hancock is Will's film and will do incredibly well. I am lucky to be associated with the cool kids.” He has just signed for the lead role in Extract, the new comedy from Mike Judge (Office Space, Beavis & Butthead).