During Hulu’s TCA (Television Critics Association) presentation, they revealed a trailer and release date for a six episode limited series of Catch-22. The series will be produced by Paramount Television, Anonymous Content, as well as George Clooney and Grant Heslov.
The screenplay, written by Luke Davies and David Michôd, is based upon the novel by the same name written by Joseph Keller. It follows US Air Force bombardier Yossarian (Christopher Abbott) as he attempts to avoid his duty in World War II but is constantly caught in a Catch-22, preventing his leaving the army. Ironically, he attempts to avoid combat to keep away from the thousands of enemies he fears, but the real enemies lie in his own encampment. He becomes caught in many inconsistencies. For example, the squadron is given a number of missions they must fly before they can go back home. However, whenever Yossarian reaches the maximum number, the amount gets raised so that he can never return home. In addition, if he refuses to fly them, he is in violation of a regulation known as “Catch-22,” which states that one can leave the battlefield if one shows signs of being crazy, but that if one shows a concern for one’s own safety, then the person is considered to be sane. However, the catch comes when one agrees to flying the assigned missions, because that shows they are insane, since it is unsafe. Moreover, if one requests to be relieved of duty due to craziness, then one must be sane, so the person cannot be given relief from duty. This is simply one example of the many controversies and oddities in the novel.
Alongside George Clooney who will play Scheisskopf, the series will star Christopher Abbott as the lead character, Yossarian, as well as Kyle Chandler (Colonel Cathcart) and Hugh Laurie (Major de Coverley). The release date has been set for May 17 on Hulu. Watch the trailer below.