Michael Keaton to Direct, Star in Noir Thriller Knox Goes Away

Batman star Michael Keaton is set to return to the director’s chair after a decade with Knox Goes Away. Keaton will also star in the film as a contract killer with dementia trying to make amends with his son. Described as a noir thriller, Knox Goes Away is written by Gregory Poirier (Rosewood, Missing) and will be on sale at the upcoming Cannes Film Market. The plot synopsis for the film (via The Wrap) reads:

“Knox Goes Away is the story of a contract killer who is diagnosed with a fast-moving form of dementia and is presented with the opportunity to redeem himself by saving the life of his estranged adult son. But to do so he must race against the police closing in on him as well as the ticking clock of his own rapidly deteriorating mind.”

The hitman with a memory loss angle makes Knox Goes Away appear similar to the recently released action film Memory, which features Liam Neeson as an assassin with Alzheimer’s disease who goes on the hunt for his employer after a botched job. Both the films have protagonists in similar predicaments, but Knox Goes Away seems to be more contained and personal than Liam Neeson’s globe-trotting, action-heavy Memory. We’ll find out more about Knox Goes Away at Cannes.

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Michael Keaton last made a foray into film direction with 2008’s The Merry Gentleman. He played a hitman in that film as well. The Merry Gentleman stars Kelly Macdonald as a young woman who escapes an abusive relationship and forms a friendship with Keaton’s character. The film received mostly positive reviews, with praise aimed toward the cast’s performances.

For Knox Goes Away, Keaton will be teaming up with Spotlight producer Michael Sugar and Ashley Zalta. Seeing as how several actors have found success stepping behind the camera, we expect Keaton, a veteran of the industry, to deliver with Knox Goes Away as well.

There is currently no word on Knox Goes Away’s release date, but the film is expected to commence production in Los Angeles in August this year.

Michael Keaton Will Reprise His Role As Batman In The Flash

Warner Bros Pictures

Michael Keaton has had a good few years lately, careerwise. The Birdman actor recently starred in Hulu’s drama miniseries Dopesick, based on the opioid crisis. Keaton won a Golden Globe and a SAG award for his performance in the series. He will next reprise his iconic role as Batman in the upcoming DCEU film, The Flash. Keaton is excited about donning the Batsuit again and has praised director Andy Muschietti’s vision for the film.

“When it came around again first of all I was getting curious about it. I thought, ‘Boy, what would that be like?’ And then, coincidentally, there were murmurs, and I got a call from Warner Bros. They wanted to talk to me about something and there was hints of Batman. It has to be good. There’s no reason to do it if it’s not good. It’s not gonna really change anything. And I just jumped in and had fun. And why would you not? You know, I mean, director Andy Muschietti is fantastic, and he’s really creative. I don’t know. It’s fun.”

The Flash also features Ben Affleck’s return as the Caped Crusader. Starring Ezra Miller as the titular speedster, The Flash will be released on June 23, 2023.

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