"It's all a numbers game. And when your number's up ... your number's up."

A character blithely utters that line in the full trailer for Hulu's upcoming adaptation of "Catch-22," Joseph Heller's seminal novel. It is a pointed reminder of the pointlessness of war that is experienced by the protagonist of the story, Yossarian (Christopher Abbott), a U.S. Air Force bombardier in World War II.

The trailer lays out the titular "catch," a hilariously sinister bureaucratic rule that states a pilot can only avoid a mission if he claims insanity. But by claiming insanity. Unfortunately, by asking to be grounded, the pilot actually proves his sanity.

The star-studded adaptation also features George Clooney (an executive producer and co-director of two episodes). He was originally supposed to play Colonel Cathcart, Yossarian's commanding officer, but stepped back to focus on his other duties. Kyle Chandler took on the role. Clooney now plays Scheisskopf.

"Catch-22" premieres May 17 on Hulu.