Michael Caine to retire at 90: ‘Might as well leave with all this’

That’s a wrap.

Prolific screen actor Michael Caine, 90, has gone public with his plans to finally retire.

The “Inception” star shared the news during a recent interview on BBC Radio 4’s Today show — just weeks after hinting that his new film, “The Great Escaper,” would be his last.

“I keep saying I’m going to retire. Well, I am now,” Caine stated.

“I’ve figured, I’ve had a picture where I’ve played the lead and it’s got incredible reviews. The only parts I’m likely to get now are old men,” the Oscar winner went on.

Caine continued: “And I thought, well I might as well leave with all this — what have I got to do to beat this?” 

Caine has an eclectic résumé built out over the better part of a century, beginning in the 1950’s with his film debut in 1956’s “A Hill in Korea.” His broad appeal with audiences assured him decades worth of work in a wide range of films, leading up to solid roles in modern hits like “The Prestige,” “Batman Begins,” and “Kingsman: The Secret Service.”

He was nominated for six Oscars, winning Best Supporting Actor in 1986 for Woody Allen’s “Hannah and Her Sisters” and in 1999 for “The Cider House Rules.”

Caine teased last month that “The Great Escaper,” a historical drama, would be his final turn on the silver screen, during a chat with The Telegraph.

The nonagenarian’s latest was released on Oct. 6.

He portrays Bernard Jordan, a World War II veteran who escapes from his elderly care home to attend the 70th Anniversary of the D-Day landings in France.

“I thought he was incredible, and it’s so beautifully written,” he revealed of the movie’s script.

“With Covid and all that, I hadn’t done a picture for three years, and I thought I was finished. And I suddenly did it — and had such a wonderful time.”

Despite Caine saying that he would eventually retire back in 2021, he still kept on going, releasing his film “Best Sellers.”

Speaking of his role alongside Aubrey Plaza in the comedy,” Caine told the BBC podcast “Kermode and Mayo’s Film Review” in 2021: “Funnily enough, it has turned out to be what is my last part really. Because I haven’t worked for two years, and I have a spine problem which affects my legs, so I can’t walk very well.”

In 2022, Caine was recovering from spinal surgery — his health issues sparked speculation that he was going to quit filming for good.