Sir Michael Caine has, at long last, retired from acting. The Oscar-winner made the announcement while talking about his upcoming film, “The Great Escaper.” The Warner Bros. Pictures flick is based on a true story about World War II veteran, Bernard “Bernie” Johnson. In 2014 Johnson snuck out of his nursing home to attend the 70th anniversary of landing on the beaches of Normandy, France. This will be the last time we see Caine on screen.
“Funny enough, I’d retired when I was sent the script, and I turned it down three times, but I kept falling in love with him every time I read it, and so I did it,” Caine told the BBC. He was speaking about William Ivory‘s script for the film. “The Great Escaper” is directed by Oliver Parker and co-stars the late Glenda Jackson.
“I kept saying I’m gonna retire. Well, I am now because I figured, I’ve had a picture where I’ve played the lead, and it’s got incredible reviews. The only parts I’m likely to get now are old men, 90-year-old men – well, maybe 85, you know? And I thought, ‘Well, I might as well leave with all this, I’ve got wonderful reviews. What am I gonna do to beat this?'”
Caine’s decision to finally retire was in part due to the fall in work from the COVID-19 pandemic. He did previously deny rumors of retiring, but now he is settling down. He has had a legendary prolific career that spans several projects. Some of Caine’s work includes playing Alfred Pennyworth in “The Dark Knight” trilogy and the captivating Scrooge in “A Muppet’s Christmas Carol.” He has also held roles in “Now You See Me,” “Inception,” “Best Sellers,” and many more.
While Caine may no longer be on screen, he has no plans to stop working. Cain is switching from acting to writing, with his debut novel “Deadly Game” releasing December 2023. “The Great Escaper” is currently in U.K. theaters.
