Barry Keoghan isn’t heading to the next ‘Peaky Blinders’ sequel ‘The Immortal Man‘, but it seems the actor still has a lot of love for the world he briefly inhabited.
In a business where actors are constantly being pushed to keep going for the next big hit or franchise, Keoghan seems more concerned with having a more meaningful experience than remaining attached to a popular character.
Barry Keoghan Says He’s Choosing Roles More Carefully After ‘Peaky Blinders’
Keoghan has since confirmed that his character, Duke Shelby, will not appear in the upcoming Netflix film. Jamie Bell is now said to be playing the role for the next installment of the franchise.
Related: ‘Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man’ Delays Tommy Shelby’s Return
“I carefully, cautiously pick because I just want to enjoy, and I want to heal, I want to tell, I want to find, I want to explore. I want to discover all of those things while I’m making a movie with people who are like-minded,” he told Variety.
The comments from Keoghan indicate that there is no bitterness behind his departure, although recasting is always going to generate some strong reactions from fans. In fact, the actor was very positive about his experience of making the film and stated that he “loved making” ‘The Immortal Man’.
The project seems to have been more than just another big role for Keoghan. His recent thoughts were of an actor making a much more conscious career decision and personal development.
Duke Shelby’s Future Moves In A New Direction
The recasting is also an interesting change for the future of the ‘Peaky Blinders’ universe. The late introduction of Duke Shelby in the original series as Tommy Shelby’s half-brother suggests he could be a key player in the franchise’s future.
In case you missed it: How ‘Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man’ Turns a Real Nazi Plot Into Tommy Shelby’s Biggest Threat
A lot of fans thought that Keoghan would keep going with that plot after ‘The Immortal Man’. Now, with Bell taking over, the sequel series may go in a different direction altogether with Duke. Bell’s screen presence and energy will be quite different, potentially changing how audiences relate to the character.
Meanwhile, Keoghan’s departure doesn’t necessarily come across as a loss due to conflict or creative issues. Rather, it is as though the actor is aware of what he is seeking in his career and life at present.
To fans, it might be disappointing to see Keoghan depart so soon. However, based on his remarks, he appears very comfortable with the decision and maybe even thrilled about whatever is next.
You Might Also Like To Read: 25 Most Important Holocaust Movies Ever Made, Ranked
