Jordan Karlesson
Was there ever a time when actor Jason Bateman wasn’t working as an actor? We can’t think of one. In fact, he probably can’t either.
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His hit Netflix crime show, Ozark, ended three months ago. Nevertheless, Bateman — recently returned from summer vacation — is in discussions for a new Netflix thriller, Carry On, Deadline reported Friday. It will reportedly co-star red-hot actor Taron Egerton (Rocketman, TV’s Black Bird), with director Jaume Collet-Serra (Orphan and Black Adam) helming the project.
Jason Bateman’s encyclopedia-size résumé lists practically too many comedic roles to count. But while he continues to make funny movies (Game Night) and TV shows (Arrested Development), in recent years, he also plays roles that are against character and underscore his range of talent.
Carry On will continue that trend. A brief synopsis of the action-thriller on IMDb describes the show as follows: “A mysterious traveler blackmailed Ethan Kopek, a young TSA agent, to let a dangerous package slip through security and onto a Christmas Day flight.”
With Bateman not even yet confirmed for the movie, it’s unknown which character he would play. But it’s a safe bet that Egerton will take the role of Kopek.
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Presumably, Netflix — and Bateman, if he formally joins Carry On — will hope the movie achieves the same level of critical success as Ozark. The show somewhat resembled TV’s new gold standard, Breaking Bad. It revolved around a seemingly ordinary family that gets caught up in drug trafficking, money laundering, and murder.
Ozark had a minimal audience when Netflix debuted its first season in July 2017. But based on the stronger lead performances by Jason Bateman and Laura Linney, who plated his wife on the show, Ozark increased in popularity during its subsequent three seasons.
In the end, the show collected 32 Primetime Emmy Award nominations. Bateman took the prize for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series in 2019. Meanwhile, newcomer Julia Garner bested him with awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 2019 and 2020.
