In 2011, Freeman narrated the fantasy Conan the Barbarian and appeared in the family drama Dolphin Tale, as prosthetic specialist Dr. McCarthy.[129] Returning to theater in 2011, Freeman was featured with John Lithgow in the Broadway debut of Dustin Lance Black’s play, 8, a staged reenactment of Perry v. Brown, the federal trial that overturned California’s Proposition 8 ban on same-sex marriage. Freeman played Attorney David Boies.[130] The production was held at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre in New York City to raise money for the American Foundation for Equal Rights.[131][132] Freeman had a lead role in the 2012 drama The Magic of Belle Isle, as an alcoholic novelist trying to write again. The film fared poorly with critics, gaining only a 29% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.[133] Lastly in 2012, Freeman reprised his role as Lucius Fox for the third time in The Dark Knight Rises.[134]
A number of box office hits were released in 2013. Freeman appeared in the action-thriller Olympus Has Fallen, the first installment in what would become the Has Fallen film series;[135] he portrays Speaker of the House Allan Trumbull. The San Francisco Chronicle critic gave Olympus Has Fallen 3 out of 4 stars and opined that Freeman gave an amicable supporting performance.[136] He then starred in the science fiction drama Oblivion, with co-star Tom Cruise, as veteran soldier Malcolm Beech,[137] and appeared in the thriller Now You See Me, as an ex-magician.[138] Lastly, he played a retiree in Last Vegas, with co-stars Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro, Kevin Kline, and Mary Steenburgen.[139] Filmed in Las Vegas and Atlanta,[140] Last Vegas was praised for its cast’s chemistry, and one critic thought Freeman brought the most amusement.[141]
1 thought on “For the director, see Morgan J. Freeman”