Even though Arrested Development's fourth season was officially confirmed earlier this year by multiple sources directly involved in the production process, the beloved series' return still seems like a wonderful daydream to its ever-expanding fan base.

Attempting to emphasize the actuality of AD's ongoing revival, executive producer Ron Howard last night tweeted a photo of someone resembling showrunner Mitch Hurwitz standing inside the writer's room surrounded by notecards.

"Arrested Development for Netflix. IT'S ALIVE," Howard exclaimed.

Despite mounting evidence to the contrary, most fans, burned by past rumors, will likely remain incredulous until the show's premiere, excepted to occur in early 2013 exclusively on Netflix.

UPDATE: In separate tweet, AD star Jason Bateman says, "All systems are go. Filming for the new episodes starts in four weeks. Woo!" Woo indeed.

[IFC via Uproxx, photo via @RealRonHoward]