Spellbound

Leave it thinking-man hottie Jason Bateman to make his feature-film directorial debut with material that calls for some smarts.

The Arrested Development star will pop his behind-the-camera cherry with Bad Words, a comedy about a 41-year-old high school dropout who, because of a loophole, is allowed into the National Quill Spelling Bee.

The Help’s Allison Janney will play the contest’s outraged director.

Kathryn Han (Our Idiot Brother) and Ben Falcone (Bridesmaids) are set to co-star.

Photo: Details.com.