UPDATE: It would appear that the news of Michael Caine’s retirement from acting was greatly exaggerated. The actor took to his social media to elaborate on comments that he made during a BBC podcast that he was no longer acting. In a statement, the actor said, “Regarding retirement, I’ve spent over 50 years getting up at 6:00 a.m. to make movies, and I’m not getting rid of my alarm clock!” He then backed up his statement with a short and sweet Twitter post that can be viewed below!
After a career spanning more than 60 years, it seems that Michael Caine is ready to call it quits. While speaking with BBC’s Kermode & Mayo, Michael Caine revealed that the comedy-drama Best Sellers will likely be his final movie.
Funnily enough, it 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 leg, so I can’t walk very well. And I also wrote a couple of books, which were published and were successful. I’m now not an actor, I’m a writer, which is lovely because as an actor, you have to get up, out by six in the morning and go to the studio. The writer, you just start writing without leaving the bed.
It’s sad to hear that Michael Caine’s health issues are a factor in his choice to retire from acting, but at 88 years old, he’s more than earned the right to take it easy. In addition to the health issues, Caine also said that “there haven’t been any offers obviously for two years because nobody’s been making any movies I’d want to do. But also, you know, I’m 88, and there’s not exactly scripts pouring out with the leading man who’s 88, you know?” Although Michael Caine says that Best Sellers will be his final movie, it sounds like he hasn’t completely ruled out returning if the right offer comes along… perhaps Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer movie?
Best Sellers follows Lucy (Aubrey Plaza) as she inherits her father’s failing publishing house and discovers that they’re actually owed a novel by the reclusive Harris Shaw (Caine). After begrudgingly delivering the novel, Harris is forced to go on a book tour from hell by Lucy that forces them both to change in ways they didn’t expect. The film was released in theaters and On Demand last month. While Best Sellers could be Michael Caine’s final movie, he did shoot another movie before Best Sellers that hasn’t yet been released. He’s set to star in Medieval, a historical epic that’s said to be the most expensive Czech movie ever made. The film is expected to be released in 2022.