Beetle Bailey (2003 film)

Beetle Bailey is a 2003 American live-action/animated comedy action drama film directed by Dennis Dugan and written by Chris Lee and Dan Halsted. It is based on the Mort Walker's comic strip of the same name. The film stars Michael Keaton in the title role with John Travolta, J.K Simmons, Nicole Kidman, Rupert Grint, Craig Robinson, Jeff Garlin, Willem Dafoe, Jon Heder and Bill Murray along with Seth MacFarlane in voice role.

Production on the film began in October 1998, Jim Hanks was originally cast as the title role but dropped out due to scheduling conflicts with Swing, Ben Stiller, Jim Carey, Michael Keaton, John Leguizamo and George Clooney were all considered to replace Hanks, The Role eventually went to Keaton. Bob Hoskins, Gary Oldman and John Travolta all auditioned for the role of Orville, The role ended up going to Travolta. Filming took place in California and lasted three months in Ireland from late 2002 to early 2003.

The film was released on May 16, 2003 by Columbia Pictures and Revolution Studios, the film was a huge box-office success, grossed $300 million worldwide; making it the third-highest-grossing film of 2003. It received generally positive reviews from critics, with Keaton's performance receiving universal acclaim. The film has been widely cited as the film that launched Keaton as a box-office leading man after many years as a cult movie star. Keaton won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role, in addition to Best Actor nominations at the Academy Awards, BAFTAs, and Golden Globes. Beetle Bailey was also nominated for four other Academy Awards and BAFTAs. A Sequel: Beetle Bailey 2 was released on July 17, 2009

Cast
Michael Keaton as Private Carl James "Beetle" Bailey

John Travolta as Sergeant 1st Class Orville P. Snorkel

Seth MacFarlane as Otto (Voice)

J.K Simmons as Brigadier General Amos T. Halftrack

Nicole Kidman as Miss Buxley

Rupert Grint as Lieutenant Sonny Fuzz

Craig Robinson as Lieutenant Jackson Flap

Jeff Garlin as Cookie (Cornelius) Jowls

Willem Dafoe as Private "Killer" Diller

Jon Heder as Private Zero

Bill Murray as Private Plato