‘Birdman’ Trailer: Michael Keaton Portrays a Movie Superhero Past His Prime (Video)

“Absolutely not — that’s why twenty years ago I said no to Birdman 4.”

That’s the sad line that Michael Keaton‘s character tells a reporter who questions why the faded superhero actor wants to star in a new play. The moment is one of the many bleakly comic incidents populating the new trailer for the Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu dark comedy.

Keaton portrays Riggan Thomson, an actor once known for starring in multiple blockbusters as the superhero Birdman. But his career has faded considerably since the height of his fame. So he’s writing, directing and starring in a new play — which doesn’t look like it’s going too well.

Birdman, set for release by Fox Searchlight, features a host of well-known names, including Naomi Watts, Zach Galifianakis, Emma Stone.