Michael Keaton In Talks For McDonald’s Origin Story
Golden Globe winnerand (as of this morning)Academy Award nomineeMichael Keatonmay have found his next big role. Keaton is looking to leadThe Founder, aSocial Network-esque drama about the rise of American fast food empire McDonald’s.John Lee Hancock(The Blind Side,Saving Mr. Banks) is directing.
More details on the Michael Keaton McDonalds movie casting after the jump.
According toTHR, Keaton is now in negotiations forThe Founderafter meeting with Hancock and receiving a formal offer earlier this week. Keaton had been interested in the rolesince last year, but was waiting to see who would direct. Previously, Hancock’sSaving Mr. BanksstarTom Hankswas approached to star but decided to pass.
If a deal closes, Keaton will play Ray Kroc, a salesman from Illinois who met original McDonald’s founders Mac and Dick McDonald in 1950s Southern California. Impressed by the brothers' efficient burger-making system, he opened up his own McDonald’s location in 1955.
Kroc eventually maneuvered himself into a prime position at the company, but frequently butted heads with the McDonalds. In 1961, he bought the company out from under them for $2.7 million. From there, he was able to construct a billion-dollar empire. By the 1970s, McDonald’s had reached all 50 U.S. states.
The script byRobert Siegelis described as being in the vein ofThe Social NetworkandThere Will Be Blood. Siegel’s earlier credits includeBig Fan,The WrestlerandTurbo.The Founderwill be produced by FilmNation and The Combine, which is run byJeremy RennerandDon Handfield.
Keaton is currently enjoying a career resurgence after a quiet period in the ’00s. He’s earned some of the best reviews of his professional life forBirdman, and will next be seen in Thomas McCarthy’s Catholic Church sex scandal dramaSpotlight. In addition, he is in talks to join the King Kong prequelKong: Skull Islandwith Tom Hiddleston and J.K. Simmons.
