Actor Jason Bateman will join Brad Pitt and Edward Norton in “State of Play,” an upcoming adaptation of a successful British television drama miniseries, reports Variety.

The 38-year-old actor who found fame as a teen heartthrob in the 1980s and then, in more modern times, as Michael Bluth on the Fox TV series “Arrested Development,” will explore his investigative skills in a new film directed by Kevin MacDonald.

The Universal Pictures and Working Title drama is based on a 2003 British miniseries. According to Variety, the story focuses on a newspaper’s investigation of the murder of a congressman’s girlfriend.

Edward Norton will play the congressman, while Brad Pitt will play the former campaign manager of the politician who initiates the paper's investigation. James Bateman will reportedly have the part of one of the key reporters.

Producing are Andrew Hauptman, Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner. Paul Abbott, who created the miniseries, is executive producer.

Bateman will be seen next in the ensemble of the Peter Berg-directed Universal drama “The Kingdom,” alongside Jamie Foxx, Jeremy Piven, Chris Cooper and Jennifer Garner. The film is slated for an Oct. 5 release.

Bateman will also appear in “Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium,” directed by Zack Helm and scheduled for Nov. 16 release in the U. S. The film stars Natalie Portman and Dustin Hoffman.

The “Arrested Development” actor’s big-screen exposure for 2007 doesn’t end here, as he also appears in the black comedy film “Juno,” also slated for a December release. His co-stars are Ellen Page, Michael Cera and Jennifer Garner.

Variety reports Bateman is currently in production on the Berg-directed superhero flick “John Hancock” with Will Smith and Charlize Theron.

Bateman became a teen idol in the 1980s through shows such as “Silver Spoons,” “It's Your Move” and “The Hogan Family.” He took a lengthy break from Hollywood and returned as Michael Bluth on the FOX television comedy “Arrested Development.”

This role earned him a Golden Globe in 2005, for best performance by a male actor in a comedy.