The Italian media giant joins Paramount Television, Anonymous Content and Smokehouse Pictures in producing the prestige drama series.


Sky Italia is coming on board to co-produce the highly anticipated Catch-22 adaptation from George Clooney, who will executive produce, direct and co-star in the six-part series.


The Italian media giant joins Paramount Television, Anonymous Content and Smokehouse Pictures in producing a new adaptation of Joseph Heller's 1961 World War II satire. The series is set to premiere in the U.S. exclusively on Hulu, and in Italy on Sky Atlantic, in 2019.


Catch-22 tells the story of artful dodger John Yossarian, a U.S. Air Force bombardier stationed in Italy during World War II who is trying to fulfill his service requirements so he can get home. Heller's book explores the paradoxical requirement, the "catch-22," where an airman who feels mentally unfit to fly is not obligated to do so, but anyone who applies to stop flying is deemed sane enough to continue.


Christopher Abbott will star as Yossarian, while Hugh Laurie is set to play Major de Coverley. Kyle Chandler has signed up for the part of Colonel Cathcart.


Clooney had originally signed on as Cathcart, but will now take on the smaller role of Lieutenant Scheisskopf so that he can focus on directing and producing. Clooney's paycheck for each of the six episodes is said to be in the region of $1 million.


Ellen Kuras and Grant Heslov will co-direct the series with Clooney. Luke Davies and David Michod co-wrote the episodes. All five will executive produce, alongside Richard Brown and Steve Golin.


The series will be shot throughout Rome and Sardinia beginning this month.