Jason Bateman To Direct Ben Mendelsohn In HBO Drama, 'The Outsider'

Image from The Hollywood Reporter

By Darian Scalamoni

            Stephen King is probably the most adapted author of recent memory and it seems that every week we have news of another one of his works being told on screen. Today is no different. According to Collider, HBO has picked up The Outsider to series, based on his latest book with Ben Mendelsohn to star and Jason Bateman attached to executive produce and direct the first two episodes.

            The Outsider follows an investigation into a brutal murder of a local boy that leads a veteran cop to team with an unorthodox investigator to question all they believe is real as a supernatural force works its way into the case. This sounds a bit like True Detective mixed with a sci-fi twist. Mendelsohn is great casting because he’s pretty much good in anything he’s in, but this is all about the team-up. Part of me wishes that Bateman was also casting himself as the opposite lead cause a team-up of him and Mendelsohn on screen would be super interesting.

            Mendelsohn can be seen pretty much anywhere especially in the last couple of years with villain roles in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and Ready Player One with an upcoming one in Captain Marvel, as well. He can also be seen currently in theaters in Robin Hood: Origins.

It makes sense that HBO is stocking up on drama series with Game of Thrones set to end in 2019. The Outsider joins a list of dramas that include new seasons of Westworld, True Detective and Big Little Lies while Watchmen, Demimonde, Lovecraft Country and The Undoing will be debuting on the premium network.

How do you guys feel about HBO picking up The Outsider? Are you excited to see Mendelsohn and Bateman involved?