Michael Keaton has described Birdman as a 'risky' movie but he was keen to work with director Alejandro González Iñárritu.
Birdman will see Keaton team up with Inarritu for the first time as he returns to the director's chair for the first time since Biutiful. And being such a huge fan of Amores Perros, Keaton was thrilled to get his chance to work with the filmmaker.
Speaking to the Guardian, the actor said: "Birdman is a very risky movie. I knew I wanted to do it just from watching Alejandro's other work. I told a friend, 'I would have done it based on 'Amores Perros' alone.' And he said, 'I would have done it based on the car crash in 'Amores Perros' alone.'
"But as an actor, you'd be a lot safer in his other movies with all their different stories. In this one, there's nowhere to hide."
Keaton will take on the central role in Birdman of a man who is trying to resurrect his career and move away from the superhero character that he is best known for. He is joined by an all-star cast as Edward Norton, Emma Stone, Naomi Watts, and Zach Galifianakis are just some of the other great names on board.
And while Keaton thought Birdman was a risk, it is a risk that has paid off as the film has been a critical smash since it appeared on the festival circuit earlier this year.
Keaton picked up a Best Actor in a comedy or musical at the Golden Globes - where he is nominated alongside Ralph Fiennes, Bill Murray, Joaquin Phoenix, and Christoph Waltz. However, he is in the Best Actor mix at the Screen Actors Guild Awards alongside Eddie Redmayne, Benedict Cumberbatch, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Steve Carell.
Keaton is one of the favourites to be in the Best Actor Oscar race, while Birdman is the current favourite to scoop the Best Picture prize.
Birdman is released 1st January 2015.
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