George Clooney is heading back to the small screen with “Catch-22.”
Paramount Television and Anonymous Content are developing a limited-series adaptation of the classic 1961 novel by Joseph Heller. A network or platform is not yet attached for the six-episode satirical war project set in Italy during World War II.
Clooney will star as Colonel Cathcart, and will direct with Smokehouse Productions partner Grant Heslov (“The Men Who Stare at Goats”).
The scripts were co-written by Luke Davies (“Lion”) and David Michôd (“War Machine”), who both executive produce.
Richard Brown and Steve Golin will executive produce for Anonymous Content, while Clooney and Heslov executive produce on behalf of Smokehouse.
“Catch-22” was adapted into a 1970 film by director Mike Nichols. Martin Balsam played the role of Colonel Cathcart in that movie.
This marks Clooney’s first TV role since portraying Dr. Doug Ross on NBC’s “ER,” which earned him two Emmy nominations. The two-time Oscar winner follows in the footsteps of numerous A-listers who have recently picked up TV vehicles in this current age of prestige TV.
War-focused series have become a TV trend lately, as several launched during the current fall season, including NBC’s “The Brave,” CBS’ “SEAL Team” and The CW’s “Valor.” Meanwhile, CBS is developing a reboot of the 1981 military-themed Bill Murray film “Stripes.”