It’s official.  Joss Whedon’s Dollhouse is returning, as we reported on earlier today (and this week).

The show will return for 13 episodes, with an option for more episodes if required.  Return is seen likely for Fall.  The show budget has been slashed, however the show is moving from 50 minutes per episode to 42 minutes per ep, which should help bring down some production costs.  The move will also mark a shift in creative direction of the show.

Updates:

Creator Joss Whedon confirmed online saying “anything that reunites me with my stunning cast and my crazy staff (or “room fulla Tophers”, as I call them) is nothing short of a gift.”

The show shall be restaffing writers shortly for a return to the writers room.  Production on the new series is scheduled to start during July in LA.