‘Dumbo’: Michael Keaton set for Tim Burton reunion
MICHAEL Keaton looks likely to go from playing the villain in Marvel’s “Spider-Man: Homecoming” to another antagonistic role as the malevolent circus owner in Tim Burton’s live action remake of “Dumbo.”
Keaton, 65, has been on the comeback trail since being recognised for his performance in 2014’s “Birdman” with an Oscar nomination and a Golden Globe win crowning a busy awards season; the following year, “Spotlight” was hugely well praised with a Best Picture Oscar and Screen Actors’ ensemble award.
Next project “Dumbo” could see him return to a partnership that produced some of his bestknown fi lms from the late 80s and early 90s.
It was then that Burton directed him in “Beetlejuice” (1988,) “Batman” (1989,) and “Batman Returns” (1992.)
He’s already attached to “Beetlejuice 2,” as is one of the original’s costars, Winona Ryder, while joining “Dumbo” would see him working again with Danny DeVito, who played the Penguin in “Batman Returns.”
Also associated with “Dumbo” are Colin Farrell (“Fantastic Beasts...”) and Eva Green ( 2016 Burton fi lm “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children,”) as Disney presses on with CGI-powered live- action remakes of its animated classics following “Maleficent,” “Cinderella,” “The Jungle Book” and “Beauty and the Beast,” as Variety pointed out in its report. “Dumbo’ is one of the classic Disney fi lms which tells the story of a ostracised baby circus elephant who strives to prove his worth after he is mocked for having big ears. — Relaxnews