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 Kno****t, Greg Mottola’s Clear History and Drake Doremus’ Breathe In. She’ll also appear alongside Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Tomb.