Oscar-winning actor Michael Douglas has revealed that he has no real plans to return to acting, citing his long career and a desire to enjoy life away from the spotlight, according to The New York Post.
Speaking at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival in the Czech Republic, the veteran actor said, “I have not worked since 2022 purposefully because I realised I had to stop. I had been working pretty hard for almost 60 years, and I did not want to be one of those people who dropped dead on the set.”
Douglas, 79, clarified that while he isn’t officially retired, he feels no strong desire to return: “I say I’m not retired because if something special came up, I’d go back, but otherwise, no.”
His most recent performance was in the 2024 Apple TV+ miniseries Franklin, where he portrayed American founding father Benjamin Franklin.
The actor also reflected on his battle with throat cancer, which had a profound impact on both his life and career.
“Stage 4 cancer is not a holiday, but there aren’t many choices. I went with the program—chemo and radiation—and was fortunate,” he said.
Douglas noted that surgery would have required removing part of his jaw, severely limiting his ability to act.
In an earlier interview, Douglas mentioned he’s been enjoying his break: “I’m enjoying my hiatus and enjoying my life… It was overwhelming running the production company and acting at the same time.”
Although he’s still active as a producer, Douglas is no longer interested in big studio films—especially superhero blockbusters. After playing Hank Pym in Marvel’s Ant-Man trilogy and Avengers: Endgame, he confirmed he won’t return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
“I don’t think so. I had the experience, and I was excited to do it. I’d never done a green screen picture before.”
Meanwhile, his wife, Catherine Zeta-Jones, has also stepped back from mainstream Hollywood and is focusing on indie film projects.
Douglas’s remarks signal a shift in priorities as he looks back on a distinguished career and looks forward to quieter, more fulfilling days.
