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Jason Bateman has been set to join Brad Pitt and Edward Norton in "State of Play," the Kevin Macdonald-directed adaptation of the British miniseries for Universal Pictures and Working Title.

Drama revolves around a newspaper's investigation of the murder of a girlfriend of a fast-rising congressman, played by Norton. Pitt plays the former campaign manager of the pol who spearheads the paper's investigation, and Bateman will play one of the key reporters chasing the story.

Andrew Hauptman produces with Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner. Paul Abbott, who created the mini, exec produces.

Bateman will next be seen in the ensemble of the Peter Berg-directed Universal drama "The Kingdom," and then in Zack Helm-directed "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium" and the Jason Reitman-directed "Juno." U also is developing "Remarkable Fellows," a pitch by Bateman to be written and directed by Joe Carnahan.

Bateman's also in production on the Berg-directed "Hancock" with Will Smith and Charlize Theron.