Will Michael Keaton ever become leading man material again?
Nah, he’s 60 so past leading man phase. The only lead he can get now is on television. He can get some good supporting parts though although it seems he’s mostly doing voice work of late which is a shame.
Was he ever genuine leading man material?
Multiplicity says no.
In retrospect – although he’s had a few good roles since – I think Batman might have been the kiss of death for his acting career. A shame.
http://www.theonion.com/articles/study-87-percent-of-movies-would-be-better-with-mi,19268/
The second Val Kilmer does…..
He’s a great talent and shame he’s not doing top notch work anymore. I’ve always felt Beetlejuice to be a great hoot and The Dream Team is somewhat of a guilty pleasure for me.
I really that “Clean and Sober” is some of the best work he has ever done. But yeah after Batman it was hit and miss but I really dug “One Good Cop” and “The Paper”.
I like Keaton too. He has a totally unique screen presence. real nervy and unpredictable, kind of like Goldblum but better. I think the problem is that he tried to tone down his image a little with movies like The Paper, My Life and Multiplicity, and all those films were flops too. Keaton playing a ‘normal’ guy doesn’t really work imo. The only time he convinced me playing a ‘regular joe’ was in Gung Ho.
His ‘parody’ of the ‘stiff’ movie acting of the 30’s gangster films in Johnny Dangerously is truly bizarre. movie isn’t particularly good, but he is strangely watchable.
I don’t think you can ever write someone off….look at how The Wrestler revived Mickey Rourke’s career?
Keaton could easily get a major come back role…as could Val Kilmer…..it just depends on the right director believing in an actor the way that Aronofsky believed in Rourke.
…and there’s nothing new about that in Hollywood….Gloria Swanson got a major comeback role in Sunset Boulevard….
Hope your right RGRIMES. Did anybody see the film he directed called “The Merry Gentleman”? I live in Toronto and it didn’t get released in cinemas or dvd here!
The real concern is whether this guy will once again become leading man material…
That’s the last time you’ll see that word in front of his name.
I miss The Keaton.
Rumor has it a Beetlejuice sequel would include him. Too bad Burton would be directing…
The greater question is will my turd ever regain its fine texture and consistency from 25 years ago? MUBI wants to know.
Blue K clearly needs to add some Metamucil to his diet.
He was great in those bit parts from Out of Sight and Jackie Brown.
I recently saw him on the show 30 Rock on their 100th episode and he was great, playing the doomed veteran about to retire on his last day……
He was also mildly funny as the police captain using TLC songs in his speeches to his subordinates in the uneven The Other Guys.
His leading days are behind him, but recent history suggest he can still but it as a character actor, which can be a more interesting phase of one’s career. Just keep giving him parts that showcase his personality.
Does his performance as “Ken” is Toy Story 3 count? I thought he was pretty good in Game 6, but really at his age he’s really more likely to become a reliable character actor.
Game 6 is a very under rated flick. I feel like you and I are the only two people remember it Matt. He stole the show as Ken!
Keaton owns that role in Game 6.
peter smith
I was watching “My Life” on tv last weekend and I was reminded just how much he can carry a whole film. But these days he is just a supporting actor or a part of ensemble. The rare exception being something like “The Merry Gentleman” which he directed. Keaton still has the goods and I think he has aged pretty well.