The 'Dark Knight' actor backpedals on his retirement remarks, insisting he's not quitting acting after suggesting the upcoming film 'Best Sellers' might be his last.

• Oct 18, 2021

AceShowbiz - Michael Caine is not retiring from acting, despite comments he made in a new BBC Radio interview.

The 88 year old told BBC Radio 5 Live's Kermode and Mayo's Film Review that his upcoming film, "Best Sellers", would be his last, citing spinal injuries and a lack of scripts that excite him for his decision, but his representatives were quick to respond, telling The Wrap he is not retiring.

Michael caused confusion when he claimed his role as cranky retired writer Harris Shaw is "likely" his curtain call, as he struggles to walk and he doubts there are many parts for "a leading man who's 88."

"Funnily enough, it has turned out to be what is my last part, really, because I haven't worked for two years, and I have a spine problem, which affects my legs. So, I can't walk very well," Caine said.

"And I also wrote a book, a couple of books, which were published and were successful. So, I'm now not an actor, I'm a writer, which is lovely because as an actor, you have to get up at half-past six in the morning and go to the studio. As a writer, you can start writing without leaving the bed."

"The Dark Knight" star added, "There haven't been any offers, obviously, for two years, because nobody's been making any movies I want to do. But also, I'm 88. There aren't exactly scripts pouring out with a leading man who's 88."

Caine has since confirmed he's not stepping away from the spotlight in a simple one-sentence tweet, using one of his most repeated movie lines. "I haven't retired and not a lot of people know that," he wrote.

The "Alfie" star previously back-pedalled on his plans to retire, explaining he loves acting too much.

In a 2018 interview, he said, "What happened is I enjoy it so much that I just can't stop. Things go up and down and you do what comes along. You have to make a living. What I noticed looking back was there'd always be three or four flops and then just as it was all going in the toilet, there'd be a hit, a massive hit. So I feel very lucky."