About Michael Caine’s curtain call ... not so fast.
The two-time Academy Award winner confirmed Saturday that he is not retiring after all, despite comments he made on a radio program that his latest film, “Best Sellers,” would be his last acting role, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
“Regarding retirement, I’ve spent over 50 years getting up at 6 a.m. to make movies, and I’m not getting rid of my alarm clock!” Caine, 88, said in a statement.
To punctuate the point, Caine went on Twitter, writing, “I haven’t retired and not a lot of people know that.”
I haven’t retired and not a lot of people know that
— Michael Caine (@themichaelcaine) October 16, 2021
Sources close to Caine told Variety that the actor is currently reviewing two scripts for upcoming projects.
Caine made his original comments on the BBC Radio show “Kermode and Mayo’s Film Review,” according to People.\
>> Michael Caine announces retirement from acting after role in ‘Best Sellers’
“Funnily enough, (’Best Seller’) has turned out to be my last part really, because I haven’t worked for two years and I have a spine problem which affects my legs and I can’t walk very well,” Caine said on the program. “And I also wrote a book, a couple of books, which were published and were successful, so, I’m now not an actor, I’m a writer, which is lovely because as an actor you have to get up at half-past six in the morning and go to the studio. As a writer, you can start writing without leaving the bed.”
“Best Seller,” which was released Sept. 17, features Caine as Harris Shaw, a grumpy retired author who embarks on one last book tour to help support a young publisher, according to Screen Rant.
The film, which was shot in Montreal in 2019, also stars Scott Speedman, Cary Elwes and Ellen Wong, People reported.
“I think it would be (my last role),” Caine said on the “Kermode and Mayo’s Film Review” show. “There haven’t been any offers, obviously, for two years, because nobody’s been making any movies I want to do. But also, I’m 88. There aren’t exactly scripts pouring out with a leading man who’s 88.”
Caine has been nominated for five Academy Awards, winning twice as best supporting actor for “Hannah and Her Sisters” in 1986 and “The Cider House Rules” in 1999. His last nomination came for best actor in 2002 for “The Quiet American.”
Caine also has won three Golden Globes, People reported.
Caine made his breakout performance in the 1964 war film “Zulu” and received his first Oscar nomination two years later in the lead role of “Alfie.” He also starred in “The Italian Job” (1969), “Get Carter” (1971) and “The Man Who Would Be King” (1975).
Caine also played Bruce Wayne’s loyal butler, Alfred Pennyworth, in the Batman “Dark Knight” Trilogy, People reported.
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