Christopher Abbott To Star In George Clooney’s ‘Catch-22’ Hulu Series
George Clooney’sCatch-22adaptation on Hulu just found its lead.Christopher Abbott, who appeared onGirlsand inIt Comes At Night, will star as main character John Yossarian. More on Abbott’s addition to theCatch-22Hulu cast below.Joseph Heller’s classic satirical novel is being adapted by George Clooney for Hulu. The six-part limited series will likely have a wide ranging cast of characters just like the book, but for now, the series has found its lead.Varietyconfirms indie actor Christopher Abbott, whose string of credits includesJames White,It Comes At Night,A Most Violent Year,Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, a recurring role onGirls, and the upcomingPiercing, will star as Captain John Yossarian, a U.S. Army Air Forces B-25 bombardier. Co-director Clooney will also co-star in the role of Col. Cathcart.
Abbott is an excellent actor who makes an impression in all of his roles, but he also tends to play dark, brooding characters. This will give him a chance to stretch himself a bit.
What You Need to Know About Catch-22
Catch-22is considered to be Joseph Heller’s masterpiece, a satirical work with anti-war elements that remains relevant to this day. Here’s the book’s synopsis:
The novel was previously adapted into a 1970 film fromThe Graduatedirector Mike Nichols. Despite Nichols' best efforts, and a overloaded cast that included Alan Arkin, Art Garfunkel, Charles Grodin, Bob Newhart, Anthony Perkins, Martin Sheen, Jon Voight, and Orson Welles, the film was met with a tepid reception. Now, Clooney will attempt to succeed where Nichols failed. Clooney’s producing partnerGrant Heslovwill also direct a portion of the series. This will be Clooney’s first reoccurring television role since his work onER, which, coincidentally enough, is now available to stream on Hulu.
George Clooney: Director
Clooney has made some very good films in the past. His Chuck Barris “biopic"Confessions of a Dangerous Mindis highly underrated. And Clooney’s Edward R. Murrow filmGoodnight and Good Luckfeels even more relevant today than when it came out in 2005. Yet a bulk of Clooney’s directorial efforts have been lackluster.The Ides of Marchhad a great cast and a potentially interesting story, but was flat and dull. No one even remembers his football comedyLeatherheads.The Monuments Mentook a great true-story and watered it down. And his most recent filmSuburbiconwas legitimately terrible. HopefullyCatch-22will deliver where his recent directorial films have failed.
