'Catch-22': Release date, plot, cast, trailer and everything to know about Hulu's WWII show
Hulu's original 'Catch-22' is based on the book of the same name authored by Joseph Heller. The book is cited as one of the most significant novels of the 20th century. It is set during World War II and the plot unfolds through the perspectives of different characters. The show has been developed since 2014, but was officially brought onboard by Hulu in 2018 as a mini-series with six episodes.
Release date:
'Catch-22' is slated to premiere May 17 on Hulu.
Plot:
The show follows John Yossarian (Christopher Abbott), a US Air Force bombardier in World War II and code Catch-22, which is a rule that states "a concern for one’s own safety in the face of dangers which are real and immediate is the process of a rational mind; a man is considered insane if he willingly continues to fly dangerous combat missions, but a request to be removed from duty is evidence of sanity and therefore makes him ineligible to be relieved from duty." With his senior official Colonel Cathcart increasing the number of missions to impress the officials above him, Yossarian, is forced to go on missions to complete his service.
Cast:
Christopher Abbott as John Yossarian
John Yossarian is the lead character in the series and most of the plot unfolds from his perspective. Yossarian is a US Air Force bombardier in World War II and is frustrated about being attacked by people he has never met during the Second World War. He is also mad that his own side keeps increasing the number of missions the men must fly to complete their service. If Yossarian was to avoid any of the missions, he would be in violation of code Catch-22.
Kyle Chandler as Colonel Cathcart
Actor Kyle Chandler plays the role of Colonel Cathcart who takes himself very seriously. He is one of the characters who will narrate a part of the story as its antagonist. He is obsessed with becoming a general and so he tries to impress his senior officials by increasing the number of missions that the servicemen have to go on while they serve.
Hugh Laurie as Major — de Coverley
Actor Hugh Laurie plays Major de Coverley, a squadron executive officer on Pianosa air base. Contrary to Colonel Cathcart, Coverley follows his own beat and is revered by his men. He listens to jazz, loves his martinis and goes apartment hunting for his men every time they are taken to a new city.
George Clooney as Lieutenant Scheisskopf
George Clooney plays the role of Lieutenant Scheisskopf. He is the commanding officer at the cadet school in California. He is seen as a sadistic, humorless, inept man who is obsessed with winning parade tournaments. He is then sent overseas to serve as the head of Operations for the entire Mediterranean Theater and that is how he meets Yossarian again.
Austin Stowell as Nately
Actor Austin Stowell plays the role of Nately who is Yossarian's best friend. He is brought up in an affluent family in the US and his parents enlist him in the army assuming that the war will be over by the time their son completes training. Instead, he is sent overseas along with Yossarian.
Supporting roles:
The film stars, Gerran Howell as Kid Sampson, Pico Alexander as Clevinger, Jay Paulson as The Chaplain, Giancarlo Giannini, Rafi Gavron as Aarfy Aardvark and
Julie Ann Emery as Marion Scheisskopf.
Writer/director:
The six-episode series will be directed by George Clooney, Grant Heslov and Ellen Kuras with each of them helming two episodes each. The show is written by Luke Davies and David Michôd.
Trailers:
The teaser of 'Catch-22' gives one an idea about what the show would be like. We meet each of the main characters including George Clooney as the commanding officer of the cadet school and Christopher Abbott as Yossarian. The teaser features keypoints of the set up - the fighter planes, parades, coffins covered by the flag and men who were hurt while serving the nation.
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