Michael Keaton To Direct Indie Dramedy Buttercup

Less than a week after the big news that Michael Keaton would be playing the villain role in the upcoming remake of RoboCop, its now been announced that the actor is also preparing his next directorial effort. While Keaton hasn't been behind the camera since making his debut with the 2008 drama The Merry Gentleman, he is now attached to helm the indie dramedy Buttercup.

According to Variety, Keaton is actually the third director that has been attached to the project. Previously both Niki Caro (Whale Rider, North Country) and Sarah Polley (Take This Waltz, Away From Her) were connected to the film - albeit at different times - but ended up having to drop it from their schedules. The story centers on a middle-aged woman who is forced to put her life on pause when her elderly father is arrested for drunk driving. In spending time with him, however, they begin to grow closer and not only does she begin to understand him better, but also the other men in her life. The trade says that the name of the movie comes from the father's nickname for his daughter.

Jennifer Aniston and Alan Arkin were previously attached to star in the movie, but that is apparently no longer the case. The search for replacements has already begun. Alice O'Neil wrote the script and Brian Koppelman, David Levien, and Heather Rae are attached to produce.

As for Keaton, it looks like he's getting set for a comeback. The star hasn't been in a live-action feature film since the 2010 Adam McKay comedy The Other Guys, so nabbing both this job and the RoboCop role is big news. And we couldn't be more happy about it.