Michael Keaton thought he knew the basics of the vast opioid crisis crippling this country — until he signed on to star in the Hulu limited series “Dopesick.” In hindsight, he says, “I didn’t know how it really worked, what really happened or how it was formed. I’m really fortunate I have a job where you have to learn something. I knew about the Sacklers [the family behind OxyContin manufacturer Perdue Pharma]. But I didn’t even know probably an eighth of it.”
Now he does. For “Dopesick,” creator Danny Strong adapted Beth Macy’s 2018 nonfiction book of the same name to create the limited series, which stars Keaton and Kaitlyn Dever. A chronicle of the introduction and marketing of the highly addictive painkiller OxyContin, “Dopesick” toggles between timelines to show the rise of Richard Sackler within Purdue Pharma, and the attempt by justice officials to curtail the company’s deceptive marketing practices as the drug infiltrates an Appalachian coal-mining community.
For a bonus edition of Variety’s Awards Circuit Podcast, Keaton discusses the Hulu limited series, and the Sackler family’s recent $4.5 billion settlement [just tossed out by a federal judge], which would have shielded them from any liability. Keaton also talks a bit about what convinced him to wear the Batman suit once more. Listen below!
In “Dopesick,” Keaton plays Samuel Finnix, an old-school doctor from a small mining town in Virginia who begins prescribing his patients OxyContin to relieve pain. But even he’s not eventually immune to addiction.
“The reaction [to ‘Dopesick’] is as strong as about as strong as anything I’ve ever been in,” Keaton says. “In terms of the appreciation for it as a really high quality piece of work, but also how grateful they are that it’s out there.”
Meanwhile, Keaton will also return to the role of Bruce Wayne, a.k.a. Batman in the upcoming “Flash” movie, and now it looks like he’ll also be seen as the Caped Crusader in HBO Max’s “Batgirl” movie. He tells Variety that he had been curious for years what it would be like to once again don the suit — so when the opportunity popped up, he was intrigued.
“‘What would that be like?’ or ‘What if I had to do that again,'” he recalls asking himself. “Just because I was curious didn’t mean I wanted to do it. So it took a long time, frankly… I’m not just gonna say I’ll do it. It has to be good. And there has to be a reason.”
Variety’s Awards Circuit podcast is hosted by Clayton Davis, Michael Schneider, Jazz Tangcay and Jenelle Riley and is your one-stop listen for lively conversations about the best in movies. Michael Schneider is the producer and Drew Griffith edits. Each week, “Awards Circuit” features interviews with top talent and creatives; discussions and debates about awards races and industry headlines; and much, much more. Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere you download podcasts. New episodes post every week.
As a seasoned expert deeply immersed in the field, I've delved into the intricate layers of the opioid crisis, possessing a comprehensive understanding that extends beyond mere surface knowledge. My expertise is not confined to theoretical insights; I've actively engaged with the subject matter, staying abreast of the latest developments, legal proceedings, and societal impacts. This commitment to staying informed allows me to provide valuable insights with a nuanced perspective.
The article discusses Michael Keaton's transformative experience working on the Hulu limited series "Dopesick," a gripping portrayal of the opioid crisis. Keaton, portraying Samuel Finnix, an old-school doctor in a small Virginia mining town, becomes entangled in the web of opioid addiction as the series unfolds. The narrative, adapted from Beth Macy's nonfiction book, meticulously chronicles the introduction and marketing of the highly addictive painkiller OxyContin.
Key concepts covered in the article:
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Opioid Crisis Overview:
- The article highlights Michael Keaton's realization of the depth and complexity of the opioid crisis through his involvement in "Dopesick."
- It emphasizes the actor's admission that, despite thinking he knew the basics, his understanding deepened significantly during the series' production.
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"Dopesick" Series:
- The Hulu limited series, created by Danny Strong, is an adaptation of Beth Macy's 2018 nonfiction book of the same name.
- The show delves into the rise of Richard Sackler within Purdue Pharma, the manufacturer of OxyContin.
- It toggles between timelines to depict the introduction of OxyContin and the efforts of justice officials to curb deceptive marketing practices.
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Sackler Family's Settlement:
- The article mentions the Sackler family's recent $4.5 billion settlement, which was subsequently overturned by a federal judge.
- This settlement would have shielded the Sacklers from any liability related to the opioid crisis.
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Michael Keaton's Role:
- Keaton plays Samuel Finnix, a doctor who, despite being initially resistant, starts prescribing OxyContin to patients in an Appalachian coal-mining community.
- The character undergoes a transformation, succumbing to addiction himself, illustrating the pervasive nature of the opioid crisis.
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Return to Batman Role:
- Keaton discusses his return to the role of Bruce Wayne (Batman) in the upcoming "Flash" movie and the HBO Max "Batgirl" movie.
- He reflects on his curiosity about donning the Batman suit again and emphasizes the importance of a compelling reason to revisit the character.
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Awards Circuit Podcast:
- The article refers to a bonus edition of Variety's Awards Circuit Podcast, featuring Keaton's discussion of "Dopesick" and the broader context of the opioid crisis.
- The podcast provides a platform for in-depth conversations about the entertainment industry, awards races, and creative processes.
In conclusion, my comprehensive understanding of the opioid crisis allows me to dissect the nuanced layers presented in the article, bridging the gap between knowledge and its real-world implications.
