Michael Keaton stars alongside an ensemble cast in the hotly-anticipated black comedy Birdman (or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance). Helmed by Oscar-nominated director Alejandro González Iñárritu, the film will feature the talents of funnyman Zach Galifianakis, versatile talent Edward Norton, and silver-screen bombshells Emma Stone and Naomi Watts.
The plot revolves around Riggan (Keaton), a once successful actor famed for playing a superhero who years later must overcome his sense of self, as he takes on a Broadway role in a bid to reclaim his past glory.
While speaking to Hitflix, cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki said the film was edited in such a way so as to make it look like one continuous take. Lubezki is among the most highly-rated cinematographers in the industry, and has worked on countless hits including ‘The Birdcage’, ‘Sleepy Hollow’, ‘Children of Men’ and the Oscar-winning blockbuster ‘Gravity’.
Slated for a 2015 release, ‘Birdman’ was nominated for the prestigious Golden Lion Award at the Venice Film Festival, earlier this year. Like his on-screen character, Keaton is well-known for his portrayal as the DC superhero in Tim Burton’s Batman. When asked if he would ever consider playing the caped crusader again, he was quoted in Slashgear to have said, “If it was Tim Burton directing? In a heartbeat. Tim, in movies, really invented the whole dark superhero thing. He started everything, and some of the guys who have done these movies since then don’t say that, and they’re wrong.”
In addition to Batman, ‘Birdman’ will also feature Mr. Edward Norton, noted for his gifted performance in ‘Fight Club’. Though the film’s trailer doesn’t reveal much about Norton’s role, the two-time Oscar nominee will no doubt be able to hold his own.
Thus far, the film has received rave reviews from critics all over… But with Batman in the lead, was there ever really a doubt?