Arrested Development film 'close'

The show was cancelled in 2005 despite critical acclaim

Plans for a film version of the critically-acclaimed US TV series Arrested Development appear to be a step closer to realisation.

Creator Mitch Hurwitz and producer Ron Howard have closed a deal for a feature film, reports from the US say.

The series, which starred Jason Bateman, Will Arnett and Jeffrey Tambor, was cancelled in 2005 after struggling in the ratings.

The show centres around the lifestyles of the dysfunctional Bluth family.

Hurwitz will write the film and direct with help of Howard, the Hollywood Reporter said.

Howard played the quirky TV show's narrator.

The show, which was shown in the UK on BBC Two, won an Emmy for best comedy in 2004, but struggled for viewers. Network Fox pulled the show in 2005.

Both Tambor and Bateman had earlier said they were keen to take part in a big-screen version, fuelling speculation the project would be given the go-ahead.