Los Angeles, Feb 5 (IANS) “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)” director Alejandro González Iñárritu has praised the film’s lead actor Michael Keaton for his versatality.
“I think he is one of the few actors in the world that can really play — and has the range to play — drama and comedy seamlessly with talent, humanity, and honesty as he proved in this film,” Iñárritu said in a statement.
The movie tells the tale of Riggan Thomson, best known to the public as Birdman — the superhero he once played in a series of films. He hopes to re-establish himself as a serious actor by mounting his own dramatic production on Broadway.
Asked why he chose Keaton for this role, Inarritu said: “This character in a way can be a prick. So I want someone who was likeable and lovable even when he has flaws all around. So I think those characteristics make Michael somebody that was unique.”
The film won the Academy Award for Best Picture, along with Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Cinematography from a total of nine nominations in 2015.
This year, Iñárritu’s “The Revenant” has topped the nominations list for the 88th Oscars having bagged nominations under 12 categories, including Best Picture and Best Director.
“Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)” will be premiered in India on Star Movies and Star Movies HD on Saturday.