‘Birdman’: Mike Nichols Tried Warn Alejandro G. Iñárritu That His One-Shot Comedy Would Be A “Disaster”

Mike Nichols was an absolutely legendary filmmaker, especially in terms of comedy. His reputation was so well-regarded, Nichols was actually the type of filmmaker that other established filmmakers would go to for advice. And as with a story told by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, sometimes that advice was downright terrifying and not what you want to hear just days before you start filming your biggest project to date. 

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Speaking as part of the recent THR Directors Roundtable, Alejandro G. Iñárritu talked about his new film, “Bardo,” but he also shared a story about meeting Mike Nichols before filming began on his Oscar-winning feature, “Birdman.” Iñárritu thought it would be a good idea to meet with Nichols before filming his first comedy feature because of Nichols’ history in the genre. Nichols is the filmmaker behind such iconic films as “The Graduate,” “Working Girl,” and “The Birdcage,” among many, many others. Well, apparently Iñárritu wasn’t expecting the harsh advice from the legendary filmmaker.

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“Two weeks before we start shooting, I want to have the advice of Mike Nichols, king of comedy,” said the filmmaker. “ It was my first comedy. I went to have a lunch with Mike Nichols in between rehearsals. I start to say, ‘Mike, I’m doing this film in one shot with these actors, in the theater.’ When I finished he said, ‘Alejandro, you should stop now. You are running to disaster.’ My legs were shaking. ‘What do you mean?’ He starts saying, ‘A comedy is made on cutting. You cut from one place to the other. These actors are not comedy actors. They know nothing about theater.’ He starts giving me all the points of a genre that he knows very well. And he was absolutely right. I was terrified. We give a hug, I said, ‘Thank you very much for your advice.’”

Iñárritu continued, “I arrived to the rehearsal and Edward Norton, he was so excited, ‘How was it with Mike Nichols?!’ ‘It was great.” I appreciated what he said because he put me in a red alert. I needed to put in much more effort. I appreciate that he was so honest with me and it was great, but it was terrifying.”

Obviously, as Iñárritu points out, the advice actually helped him more than he expected. Though Nichols told him to run away from the project and that it would be a “disaster,” Iñárritu stuck with it and turned “Birdman” into a film that would go on to win four Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director. The success of “Birdman” would then lead to Iñárritu directing “The Revenant” and most recently, “Bardo.” Now, Iñárritu is a filmmaker that earns as much acclaim as any director working today. 

“Bardo” is available on Netflix now. 

You can watch the full Directors Roundtable below: