Veteran British actor Sir Michael Caine has once again hinted at his retirement from the film industry, marking what would be the fourth such announcement of his illustrious career. The 92-year-old made the comments while accepting a lifetime achievement award at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
A Lifetime of Luck and Legacy
Taking to the stage, introduced and escorted by his co-star Vin Diesel, Caine reflected on his decades in Hollywood. "I kept going until I was 90, which was two years ago," he told the audience. "I thought to myself I'm not going to do anything else because I've had all the luck you can get." The actor, born Maurice Micklewhite in London, humorously noted the power of his stage name: "It's not my real name but it's a realistic name. It's the one that made all the money."
The ceremony was a family affair, with Caine's three grandchildren—Taylor, Miles, and Allegra—joining him on stage. His wife, Shakira, and daughters, Dominique and Natasha, watched from the audience. Caine, a two-time Oscar winner for Hannah and Her Sisters (1986) and The Cider House Rules (1999), spoke fondly of his personal life, stating that the photographs in his home are all of family, not film sets, because "that's my life."
A History of Retirements and Returns
This is not the first time the cinematic icon has suggested stepping away from the camera. His initial retirement announcement came in 2009 after Harry Brown. He then suggested he was done again in 2021 after starring in Best Sellers, having made 24 films in the interim. However, he returned for the 2022 Czech film Medieval and the 2023 British drama The Great Escaper.
While promoting The Great Escaper, Caine gave mixed signals. He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme he was likely to leave on a high, questioning what roles could top the praise he received. Yet, in a conversation with the Guardian, he revealed plans to play Charles Darwin in a film the following year, though he cautioned, "And that'll be it. I won't do another one after." That project has since been recast, with Sir Anthony Hopkins taking the role.
Future Projects and Final Curtain?
Despite the latest retirement remarks, Caine is still attached to one upcoming project: a sequel to the 2015 film The Last Witch Hunter, which will reunite him with Vin Diesel. The actor plays a priest who aids Diesel's immortal character in battling a global plague.
Beyond acting, Caine remains active as an author. He published his first novel, the thriller Deadly Game, in 2023 and is believed to be working on a follow-up. His latest memoir, Don't Look Back, You'll Trip Over: My Guide to Life, was released in 2024.
In his heartfelt and witty speech in Jeddah, Caine expressed gratitude for the surprise of the award, noting that in show business, "you never get many surprises, but you get a couple of shocks." Whether this retirement announcement proves final remains to be seen, but for now, the legendary actor seems content to reflect on a "fairly fabulous" life both on screen and off.
