Netflix's new holiday action thriller Carry-On is taking over the movie charts like a Christmas miracle. Starring Jason Bateman, who is mostly known for his comedic roles in a cold, calculated villain has won the actor praise from both fans and critics alike. In fact, his performance was so unsettling that he did not even need to raise his voice or yell to make his role scary. Bateman’s calm, almost soothing voice was enough to make his character, the Traveler, both menacing and creepy. 

The writer of Carry-On recently opened up about why he chose Jason Bateman to play the villain in the movie.

T.J. Fixman, the writer behind Carry-On, recently sat down for an interview with The New York Times. When asked about Jason Bateman’s role as the villain in the film, Fixman shared that he envisioned the Traveler as a character who did not look like a typical villain at all. “He’s supposed to be the guy you don’t see coming,” he said. And Bateman, who is known for his roles in lighthearted comedies, was exactly who he had in mind. Fixman added, “I think it was inspired casting.”

In the movie, Bateman played a mysterious man trying to blackmail a TSA agent into letting a dangerous package through on a Christmas Eve flight. While Bateman’s role in Carry-On might catch some people off guard, it will not come as a surprise to those familiar with his previous role as Marty Byrde, the morally gray anti-hero in Ozark, which was not immediately met with praise.

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Even though over time Marty Byrde became one of his most iconic roles, a harsh review from The New York Post led Bateman to defend his acting. 

When Ozark first hit the screens, not everyone was quick to warm up to Jason Bateman’s take on an ambiguous character. In fact, some critics did not like his performance at all. The New York Post slammed it, calling Bateman’s portrayal bland. But despite the backlash, the Arrested Development star did not change a thing about how he played the role.

Bateman knew that the slow build of the character was essential to telling the story. “There’s a reason Marty is not hysterical. Because he’s the center of all the madness,” he explained. Marty stayed cool and calm until he finally had a major breakdown in one of the final episodes. Whether it was his belief in how the character should develop or his choice to surround himself with an amazing cast, Bateman truly helped push the show into becoming one of Netflix’s biggest successes.

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What do you think about T.J. Fixman's decision to cast Jason Bateman as the antagonist in Carry-On? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!