Tag: Michael Keaton

  • INTERVIEW | Don’t want to ever stop working: Hollywood actor Michael Keaton 

    Express News Service

    As 71-year-old Michael Keaton returns as Batman in The Flash, he tells Sally James about his old days as the DC superhero, playing both villains and heroes, and a possible sequel to his iconic Beetlejuice

    What was it like to put on the Batman costume again after all these years? Crazy, a little emotional and weirdly familiar. It brought back a lot of memories.

    Did you have to get in shape for the role? No. I have to say that I’m still the same measurements I was back in the day. I’m pretty happy about that (laughs). I slipped right into the suit, although this one was a little better than the first. But I’m claustrophobic, so it’s still tough to wear. I actually use that feeling of being restricted as part of the character. It’s something Tim Burton (who directed Batman and Batman Returns) and I had worked on––powerful movements, and using the stiffness for good.

    Is it true that you were initially apprehensive about playing Batman, when the role first came your way? Yeah, because I wasn’t really familiar with superhero books. I didn’t know much about Batman. I remember reading Tim’s script and thinking how I couldn’t imagine anyone making it into a movie the way I saw the character. I told him and he just nodded. That’s when things got exciting. He had asked me to read the Frank Miller’s Batman comics, which I knew nothing about at the time. But it was Tim who turned the whole movie around and made it what it is. Comic book movies are huge now. They are a cultural phenomenon, but it was Tim Burton’s Batman that kicked it all off.

    You’re back as Batman, you’ve done Birdman and you’re in the MCU as the Vulture. Do you have plans to star in any more superhero movies in the future?I don’t think about it like that. It’s not about the genre. For me, the question has always been about who’s directing, what the cast is, if the script is good and what the story is.

    Any chances of seeing you back in another standalone Batman movie?I doubt it. Tim is my pal, my co-conspirator and a true artiste. We are doing stuff together, but it’s not that.

    Is that Beetlejuice 2?Yeah, it’s something Tim and I have been talking about for years. I’m excited that it’s happening. It’s going to be very much in the spirit of the first one.

    You have played both heroes and villains. Do you prefer one over the other?I like both. They are all just jobs to me. I deliver the role, give it everything I’ve got and then move onto the next thing.

    How have you avoided typecasting in your career?That is something I was always worried about. I thought it would catch up with me eventually, which is why I always tried to do as many different things as I could in my career. 

    You are as much loved for being one of Hollywood’s more down-to-earth stars as you are for some of the characters you have played. How have you managed to stay that way for so long?I don’t know. I just try to keep myself to myself and not share too much with people. I have no interest in people knowing much about me. I’m consistent. If I want to say something about somebody, it’s almost always a good thing. I do it as much out of respect for other people as for myself.

    You are a director, producer and an actor. Which role do you enjoy the most?I still love acting. I enjoy the process and the people. Directing is fun too. As an actor, there’s a lot of time waiting for that sweet spot that might pop up every now and then in a scene. There’s no sitting around as a director. You are working all the time, thinking and problem solving.

    What keeps you working so much, given everything you have already achieved?What can I say? I’m a workaholic. I’ve been working since I was 14 years old. I used to cut lawns for a dollar and a quarter. I shovelled asphalt, have worked behind bars. I did everything I could to pay my way through acting school. I’ve always had a strong work ethic. I don’t want to ever stop working.

    Finally, you are many people’s favourite Batman, but who is your favourite?Favourite Batman? That’s easy… me. I’m Batman! Just kidding, I think they’re all great.

    ––Asia Features

    As 71-year-old Michael Keaton returns as Batman in The Flash, he tells Sally James about his old days as the DC superhero, playing both villains and heroes, and a possible sequel to his iconic Beetlejuice

    What was it like to put on the Batman costume again after all these years? 
    Crazy, a little emotional and weirdly familiar. It brought back a lot of memories.

    Did you have to get in shape for the role? 
    No. I have to say that I’m still the same measurements I was back in the day. I’m pretty happy about that (laughs). I slipped right into the suit, although this one was a little better than the first. But I’m claustrophobic, so it’s still tough to wear. I actually use that feeling of being restricted as part of the character. It’s something Tim Burton (who directed Batman and Batman Returns) and I had worked on––powerful movements, and using the stiffness for good.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Is it true that you were initially apprehensive about playing Batman, when the role first came your way? 
    Yeah, because I wasn’t really familiar with superhero books. I didn’t know much about Batman. I remember reading Tim’s script and thinking how I couldn’t imagine anyone making it into a movie the way I saw the character. I told him and he just nodded. That’s when things got exciting. He had asked me to read the Frank Miller’s Batman comics, which I knew nothing about at the time. But it was Tim who turned the whole movie around and made it what it is. Comic book movies are huge now. They are a cultural phenomenon, but it was Tim Burton’s Batman that kicked it all off.

    You’re back as Batman, you’ve done Birdman and you’re in the MCU as the Vulture. Do you have plans to star in any more superhero movies in the future?
    I don’t think about it like that. It’s not about the genre. For me, the question has always been about who’s directing, what the cast is, if the script is good and what the story is.

    Any chances of seeing you back in another standalone Batman movie?
    I doubt it. Tim is my pal, my co-conspirator and a true artiste. We are doing stuff together, but it’s not that.

    Is that Beetlejuice 2?
    Yeah, it’s something Tim and I have been talking about for years. I’m excited that it’s happening. It’s going to be very much in the spirit of the first one.

    You have played both heroes and villains. Do you prefer one over the other?
    I like both. They are all just jobs to me. I deliver the role, give it everything I’ve got and then move onto the next thing.

    How have you avoided typecasting in your career?
    That is something I was always worried about. 
    I thought it would catch up with me eventually, which is why I always tried to do as many different things as I could in my career. 

    You are as much loved for being one of Hollywood’s more down-to-earth stars as you are for some of the characters you have played. How have you managed to stay that way for so long?
    I don’t know. I just try to keep myself to myself and not share too much with people. I have no interest in people knowing much about me. I’m consistent. If I want to say something about somebody, it’s almost always a good thing. I do it as much out of respect for other people as for myself.

    You are a director, producer and an actor. Which role do you enjoy the most?
    I still love acting. I enjoy the process and the people. Directing is fun too. As an actor, there’s a lot of time waiting for that sweet spot that might pop up every now and then in a scene. There’s no sitting around as a director. You are working all the time, thinking and problem solving.

    What keeps you working so much, given everything you have already achieved?
    What can I say? I’m a workaholic. I’ve been working since I was 14 years old. I used to cut lawns for 
    a dollar and a quarter. 
    I shovelled asphalt, have worked behind bars. I did everything I could to pay my way through acting school. 
    I’ve always had a strong work ethic. I don’t want to ever stop working.

    Finally, you are many people’s favourite Batman, but who is your favourite?
    Favourite Batman? 
    That’s easy… me. I’m Batman! Just kidding, I think they’re all great.

    ––Asia Features

  • Emmy Awards 2022: Michael Keaton achieve Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series, Dopesick

    By Express News Service

    The 74th Primetime Emmy Awards was held at the Microsoft Theatre in Downtown Los Angeles, California. Hosted by Kenan Thompson, The Emmy 2022 event honours the best Television shows and performances.

    This year, Michael Keaton took home the Emmy for Outstanding Actor in a Limited Anthology Series for his role in Hulu’s critically acclaimed Dopesick series. Sheryl Lee bagged the Emmy award for Outstanding-Supporting Actress in the Abbott Elementary comedy series, thus making history by becoming the second Black woman to win under this category.

    Zendaya also scripted history by becoming the youngest two-time winner of Emmy Awards. She took home the award for Outstanding Lead Actress in the drama series category for her performance in Euphoria. On the other hand, Squid Game’s Hwang Dong-hyuk became the first Asian director to win the drama series category, and the first-ever director to win a non-English language series.

    It may be noted that the HBO network won 12 awards while Apple TV+ and Netflix got three and four respectively. The White Lotus bagged five awards followed by Ted Lasso with three.

    Here’s the complete list of winners for Emmy 2022, which awards the best of the shows across various categories in drama series, comedy series and variety sketch series.

     Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series Michael Keaton, Dopesick
     Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series Murray Bartlett, The White Lotus
     Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Matthew Macfayden, Succession
     Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Julia Garner, Ozark
     Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Sheryl Lee Ralph, Abbott Elementary
     Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series Brett Goldstein, Ted Lasso
     Outstanding Variety Sketch Series Saturday Night Live
     Outstanding Variety Talk Series Last Week Tonight With John Oliver
     Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie
    Jennifer Coolidge, The White Lotus  Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie
    Amanda Seyfried, The Dropout  Outstanding Competition Program
    Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls  Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series or Movie
    Mike White, The White Lotus  Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series or Movie
    Mike White, The White Lotus  Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special
    Jerrod Carmichael: Rothaniel, Jerrod Carmichael  Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
    Jason Sudeikis, Ted Lasso  Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series
    Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series
    Hwang Dong-hyuk, Squid Game  Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
    Zendaya, Euphoria  Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
    Jean Smart, Hacks  Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series
    MJ Delaney, Ted Lasso, No Weddings and a Funeral — Episode
     Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series Jesse Armstrong, Succession, All the Bells Say — Episode
     Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series Lee Jung-Jae, Squid Game
     Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series The White Lotus, HBO
     Outstanding Comedy Series Ted Lasso
     Outstanding Drama Series Succession

    The 74th Primetime Emmy Awards was held at the Microsoft Theatre in Downtown Los Angeles, California. Hosted by Kenan Thompson, The Emmy 2022 event honours the best Television shows and performances.

    This year, Michael Keaton took home the Emmy for Outstanding Actor in a Limited Anthology Series for his role in Hulu’s critically acclaimed Dopesick series. Sheryl Lee bagged the Emmy award for Outstanding-Supporting Actress in the Abbott Elementary comedy series, thus making history by becoming the second Black woman to win under this category.

    Zendaya also scripted history by becoming the youngest two-time winner of Emmy Awards. She took home the award for Outstanding Lead Actress in the drama series category for her performance in Euphoria. On the other hand, Squid Game’s Hwang Dong-hyuk became the first Asian director to win the drama series category, and the first-ever director to win a non-English language series.

    It may be noted that the HBO network won 12 awards while Apple TV+ and Netflix got three and four respectively. The White Lotus bagged five awards followed by Ted Lasso with three.

    Here’s the complete list of winners for Emmy 2022, which awards the best of the shows across various categories in drama series, comedy series and variety sketch series.

     Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series Michael Keaton, Dopesick
     Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series Murray Bartlett, The White Lotus
     Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Matthew Macfayden, Succession
     Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Julia Garner, Ozark
     Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Sheryl Lee Ralph, Abbott Elementary
     Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series Brett Goldstein, Ted Lasso
     Outstanding Variety Sketch Series Saturday Night Live
     Outstanding Variety Talk Series Last Week Tonight With John Oliver
     Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie
    Jennifer Coolidge, The White Lotus  Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie
    Amanda Seyfried, The Dropout  Outstanding Competition Program
    Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls  Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series or Movie
    Mike White, The White Lotus  Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series or Movie
    Mike White, The White Lotus  Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special
    Jerrod Carmichael: Rothaniel, Jerrod Carmichael  Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
    Jason Sudeikis, Ted Lasso  Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series
    Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series
    Hwang Dong-hyuk, Squid Game  Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
    Zendaya, Euphoria  Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
    Jean Smart, Hacks  Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series
    MJ Delaney, Ted Lasso, No Weddings and a Funeral — Episode
     Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series Jesse Armstrong, Succession, All the Bells Say — Episode
     Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series Lee Jung-Jae, Squid Game
     Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series The White Lotus, HBO
     Outstanding Comedy Series Ted Lasso
     Outstanding Drama Series Succession

  • Michael Keaton wins Golden Globe for ‘Dopesick’

    By ANI

    WASHINGTON: Actor Michael Keaton took home his third Golden Globe Award. The star won the award for his role in the hit TV series ‘Dopesick’.

    The announcement was made on the official Twitter handle of Golden Globes.

    “This was a golden year for television motion pictures but the #GoldenGlobe for Best Actor — Limited Series, Anthology Series or Television Motion Picture goes to @MichaelKeaton. Congratulations,” the tweet read.

    The actor was nominated against Paul Bettany (WandaVision), Oscar Isaac (Scenes From a Marriage), Ewan McGregor (Halston) and Tahar Rahim (The Serpent).

    ‘Dopesick’, an eight-episode series directed by Barry Levinson, is about the opioid epidemic in the United States.

    Based on the best seller by Beth Macy, the series tracks the beginning of the epidemic, specifically following Purdue Pharma, one of the most powerful pharmaceutical companies of the world, and the Sackler family whose members invented OxyContin.

    ‘Dopesick’ aims to unmask one of the big businesses that claim more lives every year in America, offering the vision of different groups affected by the addition to this type of drugs, such as doctors, family members, consumers, and representatives of the pharmaceutical industry.

    Keaton plays Samuel Finnix, a small-town Virginia doctor who is introduced to the drug as a revolutionary way to help his patients deal with pain.

    Coming back to this year’s Golden Globes, the nominations for the award ceremony were announced on December 13, 2021. Various media organisations including US broadcaster NBC, and streaming giants like Netflix, Amazon and Warner Media are boycotting the ceremony over the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s (HFPA) lack of action to increase the membership diversity of the organisation.

    The HFPA is holding the ceremony in private and the winners are being announced online.

  • Michael Keaton confirmed to play Batman in upcoming Leslie Grace-led Batgirl film

    By Express News Service

    Actor Michael Keaton is all set to play Batman in the upcoming Batgirl film, which has Leslie Grace playing the titular caped crusader. Keaton reprises the role he portrayed in Tim Burton’s 1989 Batman film. Notably, the actor will also reprise the role in the upcoming The Flash film, which features Ben Affleck as Batman, and Ezra Miller as the titular hero. The Flash is set for a release on November 4, 2022.

    Though plot details are kept under wraps, the film centres on the heroine whose real identity is Barbara Gordon, the daughter of Gotham police commissioner Jim Gordon. While Grace portrays Barbara, JK Simmons will reprise his role as Jim Gordon. In October it was announced that actor Brendan Fraser will play the villain Firefly.

    Batgirl is directed by Arbi and Bilall Fallah. The film has a script written by Christina Hodson, who previously wrote Birds of Prey and has also written the script for the upcoming The Flash movie. Batgirl is set to premiere on HBO Max sometime in 2022. The film is currently in production in London. Notably, the film will be the first DCEU film that is being created for HBO Max.