10 Big Actors Who Are Skipping Movies In 2018

Ben Affleck now has MORE time to think about his Batman future...

Sad Ben Affleck
Yahoo

Sometimes, it's easy to forget that acting is just another person's job.

We all love watching the Avengers fight and we marvel at Dwayne Johnson's unparalleled one-liner delivery, but for the actors involved, the time spent making these movies is done so for a paycheque.

True, a lot of performers are passionate about what they do and wouldn't just jump aboard a project for the money, but still, their ability to pick and choose projects can result in lengthy gaps in a filmography, and noticeable absences from the screen.

Gained a healthy bank balance after that big blockbuster? Why not take some time off? Sure, money isn't the only reason an actor might vanish for a while; some may move behind the camera, and some may not find any roles. But the movie business is constantly shifting and changing, and it can often leave its stars by the wayside.

This is evident by looking ahead to 2018, where - for whatever reason - numerous big industry players won't be delivering a single performance, in any movie. Let's hope 2019 is a better year for them...

10. Michael Keaton

Sad Ben Affleck
Marvel Studios

Next Movie: Dumbo (2019)

Though he never officially took a break from acting, it felt like Michael Keaton was fully absent from our screens for the better part of the 21st Century.

During this time, he never starred in a notable blockbuster that got the masses excited, turned in a performance that generated awards buzz, or made a film that was, well, super high up on the quality scale.

But he was still making movies - they just never gained any significant traction.

However, in 2014, his career was given a massive adrenaline boost. His leading role in Oscar-favourite Birdman propelled Keaton back to the top of the A-list pile, and he continued his resurgence with parts in The Founder, Spotlight, Spider-Man: Homecoming and American Assassin.

He's had a busy few years, and you'd think he'd want this hot streak to continue. But strangely, Keaton doesn't have anything slated for release this year - not even a TV show or short film - and will next be seen in 2019's Tim Burton-directed Dumbo.

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Danny has been with WhatCulture for almost nine years, and is currently Doctor Who Editor and WhoCulture Channel Manager, overseeing all of WhatCulture's Whoniverse coverage. He has been writing and video editing for 10+ years, and first got a taste for content creation after making his own Doctor Who trailers and uploading them to YouTube (they're admittedly a bit rusty by today's standards). If you need someone to recite every Doctor Who episode in order or to tell you about the making of 1988's Remembrance of the Daleks, Danny is the person to ask.