Posts Tagged ‘Zack Galifianakis’

Michael Keaton to Play a Former Superhero Movie Star in ‘Birdman’

7, Mar 2013

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In a brilliantly self-referential bit of casting, former Batman Michael Keaton is set to play the lead in Birdman, an upcoming comedy from director Alejandro González Iñárritu. The story focuses on a former actor who once played a major superhero on screen, as he attempts to reclaim lost glories by kickstarting a Broadway play.

Keaton, of course, played the title character in Tim Burton‘s Batman and Batman Returns, and thus has a bit of real-world experience to draw on for the role. Though he’s always been working, Keaton has never been quite as big as he was in the late ’80s working with Burton, but he’s had a minor renaissance lately with roles in films like The Other Guys and Pixar‘s Cars and Toy Story 3. He recently wrapped filming a villainous role in director José Padilha‘s upcoming remake of RoboCop.

Also appearing in Birdman will be Emma Stone as Keaton’s daughter, who is fresh out of rehab and now serving as his assistant. Stone is currently shooting The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and attached to star in Guillermo del Toro’s Crimson Peak.

Naomi Watts, fresh from a Best Actress Oscar nomination for The Impossible, has previously worked with director Iñárritu in 21 Grams, and will feature in Birdman as an actress in the Broadway play, while Zack Galifianakis (next appearing on screen in The Hangover Part III) will play the film’s “conniving” producer.

Yet to be cast are the key roles of Keaton’s ex-wife and the play’s leading man whose ego threatens to derail the production.

“Comedy” is not a word readily associated with Iñárritu, the director of such films as Babel and Amores Perros. Though touted as a lighter film, Birdman is sure to feature its more dramatic elements as well. Iñárritu co-wrote and will co-produce the film, which is expected to start production in April.

via The Hollywood Reporter

Jeff Bridges and Ryan Reynolds to Star in ‘R.I.P.D.’

1, Jul 2011

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Director Robert Schwentke is bringing the Dark Horse Comics series R.I.P.D. to the big screen, starring Rooster Cogburn and Hal Jordan.

R.I.P.D. concerns a group of deceased lawmen in the “Rest In Peace Department” who enforce order amongst other dead people. Jeff Bridges will be playing Roy Powell, a long-dead gunslinger from the Old West. Ryan Reynolds will play his partner, Nick Cruz, a recently murdered cop out for revenge.

The role of Powell was originally set to be played by Zack Galifianakis, who dropped out due to scheduling conflicts. Bridges is quite the choice to replace him.

Universal Pictures has just announced that R.I.P.D. will be released on June 28, 2013.

(via Collider)

The Under-Ranked: The Hangover Part II

27, May 2011

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It’s hard to believe that it has been two years since The Hangover was released. Todd Phillips’ comedy, starring three relatively unknown actor-comedians, rushed up the box office charts to become the most highest-grossing R rated comedy of all time – beating out Beverly Hills Cop, the previous title-holder for twenty-five years.

Now, the films’ three stars have become some of Hollywood’s greatest talents and will reunite with Phillips with The Hangover Part II, being released this weekend. But before checking out their newest drunken adventure, now in Bangkok, check out some of these under-ranked films from the stars of The Hangover Part II.

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The Under-Ranked: Due Date

5, Nov 2010

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This weekend Due Date, director Todd Phillips’ follow up to his massively successful hit of last year, The Hangover, will be released. The film stars two of Hollywood’s hottest commodities right now, Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis, and is likely to become one of the biggest comedy hits of the year. Downey plays a soon-to-be father rushing to get home to his pregnant wife before his child is born. In order to get home as soon as possible, he must get a ride from Galifianakis, a hopeful actor who drives Downey’s character up the wall. Due Date looks like the spiritual successor to Planes, Trains and Automobiles and with the talent involved, shouldn’t have any problems bringing the laughs. But before you run to the theatre this weekend to see Due Date, check out some of these other under-ranked films from the film’s stars.

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