Sir Michael Caine, 90, is retiring.
The legendary actor made the somewhat expected, yet still unanticipated news during an interview with BBC Radio’s 4 Today on Saturday.
The two-time Oscar winner confirmed The Great Escaper would be his last film.
“I keep saying I’m going to retire,” he said. “Well, I am now.”
Caine explained since his most recent film proved to be a success, he wasn’t sure he could leave the business in a better way.
“I’ve figured, I’ve had a picture where I’ve played the lead and it’s got incredible reviews,” he said.
“The only parts I’m likely to get now are old men, 90-year-old men, maybe 85. And I thought, ‘Well, I might as well leave with all this — I’ve got wonderful reviews. What have I got to do to beat this?’”
While Caine may be retiring from Hollywood after a 70-year career, he said it’s important characters like him don’t disappear from the movies.
“I’m 90, and I remember when I was young talking to old men of 90 and they weren’t a little bit like me. They were little tiny old men with humped shoulders… And I thought, ‘I’m not like that and it’s changed.’”
At the moment, Caine has no plans to return to the silver screen, though he does plan to spend more time writing, something he’s always loved doing.
“I’ve always wanted to be a writer and I’ve written several biographies. Then I wrote a fiction book… I’m quite amazed [it’s been published].”
“I’ll write another book sometime because I so enjoyed writing,” he said. “The thing about movie-making is that you have to get up at 6:30 in the morning, learn your lines in the bloody car, and then get there and work until 10 at night. With writing you don’t have to get out of bed — all you need is pencil and paper and you can start!”
It’s always sad to see a well-loved actor retire, but I’m forever grateful for the years of wonderful work they’ve given their fans.