Jason Bateman recently showed off a new look, leading fans to question whether he’s preparing for a new role.

Over the weekend, he was spotted at a Knicks and 76ers game with his friend and fellow actor Justin Theroux.

Though Bateman is known for usually being clean shaved, he had a scragglier look as was spotted on the jump screen.

Jason Bateman Debuted A Shaggy Look Over The Weekend

Jason’s hair was uncharacteristically long grazing his shoulders when he usually keeps it pretty short. The actor was also sporting a thick beard in a lighter shade than his locks, another unusual change in his appearance, given that Bateman rarely steps out with any facial hair.

The actor’s new look went viral on social media, as photos of his shaggy ‘do began circulating. Many fans questioned what was going on – like if this is a hint about a new project – by sharing their thoughts on X (formerly Twitter), the U.S. Sun reports.

“Maybe he’s prepping for a role?” one person wrote, a sentiment that seemed to be shared by many people contributing to the conversations about Bateman’s new appearance. “Probably getting ready for a movie part,” a different person said.

Some people even had guesses (or more so jokes) about what Bateman’s new role could be.

“Maybe he’s auditioning for a Manson biopic,” one person tweeted, while another suggested, “Maybe he has an upcoming role playing Jesus?”

Another person likened his look to a werewolf writing, “Nah, just filming Teen Wolf 3.”

It could even be a Little House on the Prairie revival or spin-off; Bateman first gained notoriety for playing James Cooper on the ‘70s television program when he was only 11. “Forgot he starred on Little House on the Prairie,” one person said.

Bateman’s New Look Could Be A Clue About Upcoming Projects

Bateman has apparently been working on a Netflix mini-series with Jude Law called Black Rabbit, though few details are known about the show, including its premiere date despite being in production since October 2022.

Not only will Bateman and Law reportedly be starring alongside each other, but Jason will also be trying his hand at directing for two episodes.

“When the owner of a New York City hotspot allows his turbulent brother back in his life, he opens the door to escalating dangers that threaten to bring down everything he’s built,” the show’s description read.

Bateman’s new look doesn’t necessarily mean it’s for the Netflix mini-series, as it could be for a newer project or even simply a personal decision to change up his look. Jason’s acting career has been thriving in recent years, with some of his newest projects being the 2023 films Fool’s Paradise and Air. He’s largely known for his work on television shows like Ozark and Arrested Development.