Multi-Golden Globes winner George Clooney is making his television comeback for the adaptation of "Catch-22."
The mini-series, which will star and be directed and executive produced by Clooney, will be his first venture into TV after he starred as Doug Ross in the 15-year medical drama "ER," which aired from 1994 to 2009.
The six-part limited series from Paramount Television and Anonymous Content has just landed a deal with Hulu, just days after the subscription network surpassed 17 million subscribers.
"Catch-22" is based on the 1961 satirical novel from Joseph Heller. It follows Yossarian, a U.S. Air Force bombardier located in Italy. He is trying to complete his service requirements so he could finally go home.
The novel was critically acclaimed for its interesting plot, where airmen deemed mentally unfit to fly are not obligated to do so. But as soon as they request to stop flying, they are deemed sane enough to fly.
Clooney will play the role of Colonel Cathcart, the series' de-facto antagonist. According to The Hollywood Reporter, his paycheck for each of the six episodes is at $1 million.
Hulu's new chief content officer Joel Stillerman shared why the company fought very hard to get the series, after many outlets showed interest since it was taken out in December.
"Catch-22 is a rare story that has withstood the test of time, not only as a literary masterpiece, but as a story that still resonates in today's political and social conversation," he said in an official statement. "These are exactly the types of stories we want to be programming at Hulu, and we couldn't be happier to partner with George Clooney, Paramount TV and this phenomenal group of creative."
"Catch-22" was previously adapted for a film directed by Mike Nichols in 1970. It starred Alan Arkin as Yossarian and Martin Balsam as Cathcart.
