Jeff Wells is reporting that Birdman, or the Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance will open the Venice Film Festival on 8/25. Wells thinks that will take it then to Telluride and from thence to the Oscar race. Word on the street (according to Wells) is that Birdman is really really good, certainly one headed squarely for the Oscar race. No word yet on where the other films are going to crop up – what’s going to New York, to Telluride, to Toronto? We’ll find out in a month or so.
There’s something surreal about seeing other actors from superhero films in this film (Edward and Emma). A decade or so ago, there was Superman and Batman and Blade. Now everyone and their valet has been in a superhero film. That adds even more layers to the Keaton as Bat/Birdman casting.