Batman Calls the Shots

By Rob Christopher in Arts & Entertainment on Jan 21, 2008 3:09PM

This year's Sundance is perhaps more important than ever, at least in the eyes of the industry. The WGA strike just might be ending soon, but studios need to start buying up indie films now so that they have plenty of stuff to release this year. One of the movies showing at Sundance was directed by Batman and shot in Gotham City.

OK, actually The Merry Gentleman was directed by Michael Keaton and shot here in Chicago (GC's current stand-in). Keaton actually stepped in to direct at the last moment when the film's screenwriter, who was scheduled to direct, was sidelined with appendicitus. It screened in Park City on Friday, and lo and behold the movie's already getting some good reviews. Keaton plays a mysterious hitman whose life collides with that of a lonely woman played by Kelly Macdonald (who might just be in for an Oscar nom tomorrow morning). The story takes place around Christmastime (thus the movie's title), sort of making it an anti-Fred Claus. We hope it blows into Chicago by next December.