Arrested Development's 'joyous' return: Will it really happen this time?

Ever since Arrested Development — Fox's short-lived sitcom about the bizarre Bluth family — ended its series run five years ago, the show's legion of passionate fans have clung to the promise of a film version. So you can imagine their surprised reaction to the "joyous news" that the Arrested Development cast (including Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, and Michael Cera) will reunite not just for a movie, but for 10 more episodes of the TV show. Appearing at the New Yorker festival Sunday, series creator Mitch Hurwitz said that the relaunched series will recap what the characters have been up to, and build to the feature-length film, expected to be released in 2013. Bateman and Arnett later confirmed the news over Twitter. Though no network is officially on board, both Showtime and Netflix are in talks to pick up the sitcom's limited run. Are fans right to call this the "best news ever?"

It doesn't get much better: Someone "has heard our prayers," says Jordan Runtagh at The Fab Life. A film and 10 episodes of the series? "We're so excited, we think we just blue ourselves."

"Arrested Development returns for another season and movie"

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Actually, this might not be good news: Inevitably, some will argue that this reunion doesn't need to happen at all, says Aly Semigran at Entertainment Weekly. The three seasons of Arrested Development were "near-perfect as is; why try and change that?" Though there are certainly fans giddy with excitement, there is likely an equally passionate contingent who can't shake the feeling: "Has the cast made a huge mistake?"

"The upcoming Arrested Development movie and episodes: Best news ever or best news EVER?"

And the movie could fail: Given Showtime and Netflix's flexibility when it comes to content, a short series run on either promises to open doors for even more creatively ludicrous comedy, says Kelly West at Cinema Blend. But, although the show's fanbase would definitely tune in to these premium services, neither the pay-cable network or the internet site is ideal for building up "mainstream support for the show in anticipation of the movie." Just like the critically beloved original series, the movie could end up flopping as well.

"Arrested Development's return to TV could happen on Showtime or Netflix"

Hold on. Let's take this with a grain of salt: "After so many false hopes," says James Poniewozik at TIME, I'll believe that there is actually an Arrested Development movie happening "when I'm watching the closing credits." There have been similar — though less specific — movie announcements made "every half year or so" by cast members or the creative team, but as of yet no one's actually funded or committed resources to such a film. While there's no doubt that those involved would "really like to make more Arrested Development," those high hopes are "not much sturdier than a Bluth Company model home facade."

"Arrested Development to definitely possibly happen again"