Michael Keaton stars in 'Birdman': Check out the trailer
Today鈥檚 kids may know 海角大神 Bale as their definitive take on the Dark Knight, but to an entire generation growing up in the late 1980s/early 1990s, Michael Keaton was聽their聽Batman. The actor 鈥� who donned the cowl and cape in the 1989聽叠补迟尘补苍听and its 1992 sequel 鈥� has largely avoided the superhero genre since leaving his most iconic role behind, spending the last decade or so focusing on supporting turns (,听) and voice work (his Ken was widely considered a highlight in聽). However, that鈥檚 all about to change with Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu鈥檚聽鈥� well, sort of.
In the film, Keaton plays a washed-up actor 鈥� best known for playing the titular superhero 鈥� who aims to make a comeback on the Broadway stage. Other than some set photos of Keaton and the aforementioned costumed hero, fans have been left to speculate on what to expect form the final film. Now, thanks to聽, we have the first trailer for聽Birdman聽(see above).
From its haunting use of Gnarls Barkley鈥檚 鈥淐razy鈥� to the tracking shot of a weathered, tired Keaton,听Birdman聽looks like it could very well be to superheroes what聽Black Swan聽is to ballerinas, in that it follows the behind-the-scenes psychological turmoil that befalls a performer in the pursuit of greatness. Furthermore, the leaked set photos indicate that the eponymous hero聽is shadowing Keaton鈥檚 character as he tries to shed his superhero image, which may mean that his character is even more damaged than the footage suggests.
This premise alone has promise, but with the pitch-perfect casting of Keaton in the lead role,叠颈谤诲尘补苍听boasts an art-imitating-life approach that should lend even more strength to the material onscreen. The film聽, but considering that Inarritu is best known for somber Oscar-nominated dramas like聽Babel听补苍诲听21 Grams,听Birdman聽could (as the trailer suggests) be more of a compelling character piece than a comic romp.
Of course, it鈥檚 far too soon to tell how聽Birdman聽will turn out or if the film will lead聽to something of a comeback for Keaton. For all we know, the film could very well prove to be a contender for Oscar gold next year. In any case, the stunning ensemble cast 鈥� which also includes Emma Stone, Naomi Watts, Zach Galifianakis, Amy Ryan and Edward Norton 鈥� makes聽Birdman聽one to watch.
Robert Yaniz Jr. blogs at .
