Usually when we get dribbled casting announcements like this, it’s for the latest superhero or science fiction blockbuster, not a dark comedy that Babel’s Alejandro González Iñárritu is directing. Still, Birdman features a story about a man who used to play a superhero, so we’ll allow it. And when the casting is as solid as Amy Ryan, we’re happy to spread the word.

In fact, Iñárritu is assembling a prime cast for a film that definitely has our interest. Michael Keaton is starring as an actor whose career has seen better days, weighed down with typecasting since he played a superhero years ago.

Looking to get himself back in the game, he decides to direct a play based on a Raymond Chandler short story. But his plan is hardly made easier by his egotistical lead actor (Edward Norton), the conniving producer (Zach Galifianakis) or his out-of-rehab assistant daughter (Emma Stone). Naomi Watts and Andrea Riseborough are also aboard as actors in the play, and now Ryan will be Keaton’s long-suffering ex-wife.

Ryan has been in demand of late, working on Atom Egoyan’s West Memphis Three drama Devil’s Knot, Greg Mottola’s Clear History and Drake Doremus’ Breathe In. She’ll also appear alongside Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Tomb.