Michael Keaton, Emma Stone, Naomi Watts & Zach Galifianakis To Star Alejandro Gonzalez Innaritu’s Comedy 'Birdman'

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by Kevin Jagernauth
March 5, 2013 3:41 PM
7 Comments

Generally known for his tough, harrowing dramas like “Amores Perros,” “21 Grams,” “Babel” and “Biutiful,” we've been waiting patiently to see what Alejandro Gonzalez Innaritu would be doing next. His options of late have included the con man/criminal drama "Flim-Flam Man" and the period vengeance tale "The Revenant," but it looks like his next feature will find him changing gears in and taking something a lot more lighthearted.

First announced at the end of last year, "Birdman" reunited Innaritu with "Biutiful" co-writers Nicolas Giacobone, Armando Bo and playwright Alexander Dinelaris with whom he wrote the comedy, based on a Raymond Chandler short story, centering a former actor who once played an iconic superhero and mounts a Broadway play in a bid to reclaim his past glories. And now, an ace cast is coming on board the film with Michael Keaton, Emma Stone, Naomi Watts and Zach Galifianakis all slated to star. Keaton will play the egotistical former star, with Stone as his recently rehabbed daughter and assistant. Galifianakis takes the role of the play's producer, with Watts as one of the actresses. Damn.

Previous reports said the film will take place over three days and on a single location, but no word if that's still the case. But either way, this sounds great, and with lensing starting in April we'll be seeing it sooner rather than later. Best of all, it has a home with Fox Searchlight already so we'd guess about a year from now, you can keep an eye on the festival circuit for it to appear, if not in theaters. [THR/Screen Daily]

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More: Michael Keaton, Emma Stone, Naomi Watts, Zach Galifianakis, Birdman, Alejandro González Iñárritu

7 Comments

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oogle monster | March 5, 2013 8:21 PMReply

FINALLY! Emma Stone in a role worthy of her talents. She needs to work with more top notch directors and get that Oscar nom so she will be on somewhat equal footing with Jennifer Lawrence and then that road-trip comedy with the two of them will finally become a reality!!!!!!
El Hanso | March 6, 2013 11:28 AM

Play themselves? Holy what? Sure, because the characters of "Winter's Bone", "Silver Linings Playbook", "The Burning Plain", "X-Men: First Class" is totally the same to that Jennifer Lawrence character goofing about peeing in her pants, arguing about her photoshopped butt, and telling how she was lovingly tortured by her brothers, while attending Dave Letterman's show.

I totally don't get the anti-Lawrence movement, currently.
v. lake | March 5, 2013 9:23 PM

oogle monster, you are always harsh on so many actors/actresses in these comment sections, but you have soft spots for Emma Stone & Jennifer Lawrence ? These overrated actresses , distractingly, play themselves in all their movies. At least choose actresses that have an acting range.
Webster Skyhorse | March 5, 2013 8:17 PMReply

At last, a project where Keaton can really do this thing.
Bogart | March 5, 2013 6:45 PMReply

"actor who once played an iconic superhero" seems like a perfect fit for Keaton... still my favourite Bruce Wayne
Stephen B | March 5, 2013 3:56 PMReply

More lighthearted than Babel? Surely you jest! That film was a laugh-a-minute joy ride.
jacques demolay | March 5, 2013 3:50 PMReply

Holy shit! That cast is bonkers. What? Can't wait to see how this one turns out.