Knox Goes Away: Michael Keaton directed thriller adds James Marsden, Marcia Gay Harden, and Al Pacino

Michael Keaton’s revival of his Batman may have hit delays and snags, but the actor’s dramatic career is still steady as he has stepped behind the camera to direct his second feature with Knox Goes Away. Keaton is coming in hot off his Emmy win for the dramatic Hulu series, Dopesick, and will also be starring in the film noir. Principal photography has reportedly already been completed.

Deadline now reports that Keaton’s sophomore effort will include a cast of names such as James Marsden, Marcia Gay Harden, and Al Pacino. The plot synopsis reads, “Keaton plays John Knox, a contract killer diagnosed with a fast-moving form of dementia. He vows to spend his final days attempting to redeem himself by saving the life of his estranged adult son (Marsden). He finds himself in a race against the authorities as well as the ticking clock of his own rapidly deteriorating mind.”

The script is being penned by Gregory Poirier and will be produced by Brookstreet with Trevor Mathews and Nick Gordon, along with Sugar23’s Michael Sugar and Ashley Zalta, as well as Keaton himself. Brookstreet and Sugar23 express their excitement, saying, “Original noir thrillers like this are a rarity nowadays, so as producers, and movie lovers, we couldn’t be more excited to be a part of this project. With Michael Keaton both behind and in front of the camera, combined with the rest of our gifted cast and crew, the audience is in for a real treat.”

Keaton’s already garnered experience behind the camera with his directorial debut, The Merry Gentleman, in 2008. That film, which was also a crime drama, became an official selection at Sundance and also dealt with a hitman who is facing a mental crisis. Know Goes Away will be executive produced by Carter Stanton for Brookstreet and Jillian Kay for Sugar23. Director of photography Marshall Adams, production designer Bill Arnold, costume designer Michele Michel, and editor Jessica Hernandez will be heading up the film crew.

Brookstreet is funding the project along with Three Point Capital, with Viviana Zarragoitia, Ali Jazayeri, David Gendron, and Michael Hansen executive producing.