Fact: Actors Michael Keaton and J.K. Simmons have exited the upcoming KING KONG reboot due to scheduling conflicts. Production on Kong: Skull Island is expected to begin later this year (15) and producers are now looking to replace the actors, who were both up for acting Oscars this year, without delaying production, according to Deadline.com. Tom Hiddleston will star in the movie, which is set to hit theatres in 2017.
Fact: Oscar-nominated actor Michael Keaton revisited his iconic roles as Batman and Beetlejuice during his guest-hosting stint on U.S. sketch show Saturday Night Live this weekend (04Apr15) by delivering a few lines as the popular characters in his opening monologue, much to the studio audience's delight. The Birdman star also showed off his comedy skills in a creepy Easter segment, in which he donned a blond wig and proceeded to show off the contents of his Easter basket, including an "eggscellent" dyed egg, a rabbit soft toy he named Glenn, in honour of Glenn Close's bunny-boiling character in Fatal Attraction, and unleavened bread for his Jewish friends, which he explained, "unlike Jesus, it doesn't rise".
Quote: "I was dead asleep. Out cold. Really, good, deep, deep sleep... I heard the phone ringing... My brother Paul was on the other end." Michael Keaton reveals he found out about his Oscar nomination for Birdman when his brother called him to discuss the exciting news.
Quote: "I did Shakespeare once and there's part of me that wants to do a little bit of that again because it was so challenging. Not to say I'm this great Shakespearean actor, because I'm not - but it was so fun to try. I'd like some minor part. I'm too lazy to take on a major role." Birdman star Michael Keaton is keen to get back onstage.
Quote: "I'd be totally full of it if I said I hadn't thought about it... Of course I think about it, it's extremely flattering." Michael Keaton admits he is dreaming of an Oscar nomination for his acclaimed film Birdman.
Quote: "She's got a solid perspective on things. I would love to have her as a daughter." Michael Keaton is a big fan of his Birdman co-star Emma Stone.
Quote: "I was the last Commissioner (Gordon) and (he was Tim) Burton's first Batman, so we had a brief moment. That was it - 'Hey, we were in Batman!'" Gary Oldman on working with Michael Keaton in the new Robocop remake.
Fact: Batman star Michael Keaton has signed a multi-venture deal with U.S. cable network HBO, encompassing a series of projects in which the actor will star, direct and executive produce.
Quote: "Where I come from, playing with Ken (dolls) would mean being beaten severely. There were seven of us so toys were pretty scarce and you had to make do. I had a load of hand-me-down clothes. Luckily not many of my sister's." Michael Keaton, who provides the voice of KEN in TOY STORY 3, preferred action figures to dolls.
Quote: "When they said Ken, the phone fell out of my hand and I started to laugh. I just thought it was really funny." Michael Keaton was delighted when he was asked to voice Barbie's boyfriend Ken in TOY STORY 3.
Fact: Actor Michael Keaton is set to voice a Ken doll - the boyfriend of plastic princess Barbie - in the upcoming TOY STORY 3 movie. The third installment in the Pixar franchise will hit theatres in 2010.
Quote: "The last seven (films) I just showed up as Batman, regardless: 'I object your honour,' and I'm standing up with those little ears." Michael Keaton jokes about his continuing role in BATMAN. He played the Dark Knight in the first BATMAN film.
Quote: <p>"The bad news is that Russell Crowe isn't here. The good news is that we don't have to listen to his band. They suck." Michael Keaton is scathing about Crowe's musical forays with rockers The Ordinary Fear Of God. </p>