buboes dissociative: 'Arrested Development' Movie: Alia Shawkat Is 'Game'

'She probably has a buzzed head,' actress tells MTV News at Sundance of her character Maeby Fünke.
By Josh Wigler, with reporting by Eric Ditzian

Alia Shawkat
Photo: MTV News

PARK CITY, Utah — If you're looking for a surefire way to end a conversation with Alia Shawkat, look no further than bringing up the subject of "Arrested Development."

That scare tactic applies to most "Arrested" veterans, who've had to field questions about a possible onscreen Bluth reunion ever since the cult Fox comedy came to a close in 2006, even more so since the 2011 announcement of a new TV miniseries and feature film. Shawkat is no exception, as MTV News learned while speaking with the erstwhile Maeby Fünke at the Sundance Film Festival, where she's promoting the Carrie Preston-directed comedy "That's What She Said."

Asked about the future of "Arrested Development," Shawkat reacted as any sane actor would: She attempted to flee the scene. But just like Maeby, who could always invent a way out of trouble, Shawkat eventually opted for a different approach: diving into any and all "Arrested" questions head-on.

"They're writing it now, though we haven't seen any scripts yet," the comedian said about the developing "Arrested" status. "But we're all game."

As for what is in Maeby's future, Shawkat could only guess. "She'd be my age [by now]," she said. "She probably wouldn't go to college. She's probably figured out some weird schemes to get money really fast, and she probably has a buzzed head and is dating some French painter."

French painter? What, no love for George Michael?

"Oh, I don't know," she laughed. "Feels kind of creepy. I love [Michael Cera], but the whole first-cousin thing ... "

No matter what comes next, and even in light of Shawkat's initial fight-or-flight reaction, the comedian said she's very much hoping to dive back into the "Arrested" universe after all these years.

"It's been kind of following me around like a very attractive albatross," she said. "But now it's hopefully going to happen. It would be very exciting."

The 2012 Sundance Film Festival is officially under way, and the MTV Movies team is on the ground reporting on the hottest stars and the movies everyone will be talking about in the year to come. Keep it locked with MTV Movies for everything there is to know about Sundance.

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