Michael Keaton refuses to take acting parts for fame and wealth
Michael Keaton turned down a $15 million offer to star in a third 'Batman' movie as he never wants to "succumb to desperation" in his career.
Michael Keaton does not take acting roles for fame or money.
The 'Beetlejuice' star turned down an eye-watering $15 million offer to return as Batman for a third film as he didn't want to "succumb to desperation" by starring in a picture that he didn't think was of sufficient quality.
Michael told the Financial Times' HTSI magazine: "I never succumbed to desperation. You’re as screwed as screwed gets if you succumb to desperation."
The 73-year-old actor has an eclectic filmography that ranges from 'Batman' to 'Dumbo' as recalled how he didn't want to be typecast as a comedy actor following his breakthrough role in Ron Howard's 1982 comedy flick 'Night Shift'.
He said: "It wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world if I have to play that all the time. But I’d rather not."
The star's acting career took something of a downturn before he starred in the 2014 picture 'Birdman', although he refused to consider it as a comeback despite the joyous response from his fans.
He acknowledged: "At the same time, not everybody was knocking at my door."
Keaton explained that he likes to take roles that are meaningful to him in his personal life – with his role as an opioid-addict doctor in the TV series 'Dopesick' particularly poignant as his nephew passed away following a battle with drug addiction.
The 'Spotlight' actor said: "If you can occasionally do something that might mean something to somebody – not everybody gets a chance to do that. You gotta do those."
Away from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, Keaton says that he enjoys the "beautiful" process of hunting birds.
He explained: "That's the only sport where an animal is your teammate.
"This thing, it's called quartering, where they quarter across the field – boom, boom, boom - like clockwork. It's just the most beautiful.
"I love the whole competition. Like, what's the goal? Clean the bird. Cook the bird. Eat the bird. I love the whole cycle."
