Kyle Chandler to Replace George Clooney in Hulu's 'Catch-22' Miniseries
With his hands full directing and producing, George Clooney is calling in Coach aka Kyle Chandler.
Clooney was set to star in "Catch-22," Hulu's limited series adaptation of Joseph Heller's classic novel. But he's ceded the role of Colonel Cathcart to Chandler and instead will play a supporting part, training commander Scheisskopf. This will allow Clooney more time for his other duties, producing and directing in conjunction with longtime partner Grant Heslov.
"Catch-22" tells the story of the artful dodger, Yossarian (Christopher Abbott), a bombardier stationed in Italy during World War II. He wants to get out of service, but is constrained by the hilariously sinister titular bureaucratic rule. Only insane pilots can refuse missions, but refusing a mission is evidence of rational thought and sanity.
Cathcart is a sadistic, ambitious, humorless, and exacting idiot who is sent overseas to oversee the entire Mediterranean Theater. Hugh Laurie will play the horseshoe-playing, jazz-loving, and very opportunistic Major de Coverley.
Chandler's plate was freed up after the series finale of "Bloodline" last year. The Netflix drama had netted him two Emmy nominations; he previously won for playing Coach Taylor in "Friday Night Lights." He can next be seen in the Neil Armstrong biopic "First Man."