Actor Bill Murray has said a movie he was set to star in was put on hold because an attempt at humor was taken badly by a female co-star...
Actor Bill Murray has said a movie he was set to star in was put on hold because an attempt at humor was taken badly by a female co-star, publicly addressing an episode that held back for the first time. ‘Warning.
“I did something that I thought was funny, and it wasn’t taken that way,” Murray said in a interview Saturday with CNBC’s Becky Quick, while covering Berkshire Hathaway’s annual shareholder meeting.
Murray, who is 71, called the episode a “difference of opinion” and did not apologize. While limiting his discussion of what happened to generalities and without going into specifics, he spoke contritely of unintentionally “insensitive” behavior.
“I haven’t done much but think about it for a week or two,” he said. “The world is different from what it was when I was little. What I always thought was funny when I was little is not necessarily the same as what is funny now.
The film, “Being Mortal,” based on a 2014 book of the same title by writer and surgeon Atul Gawande, is being made by Searchlight Pictures, which Murray says is investigating the episode.
Murray was the film’s planned lead role, and it was also for star Aziz Ansari, who directed it and wrote the screenplay. Seth Rogen and Keke Palmer were also cast in the film.
The episode involving Murray happened on April 15. Production was halted that day, with someone working on the film told the New York Times on condition of anonymity, as the details of the case were kept confidential.
Murray did not name the co-worker who objected to his behavior, but he said they were both in touch and he felt optimistic the issue was resolved.
“We love each other’s work, and we love each other, I think,” he said. “What would make me happiest would be to put my boots on and both of us to get back to work.”
Searchlight sent the cast and crew a letter, a copy of which was obtained by The Times, which attributed the suspension of filming to a complaint but did not identify its nature or who made it. The person working on the film said the cause was an allegation of “inappropriate behavior”.
Murray is known for playing gruff but lovable characters in hit comedies like ‘Caddyshack’ and ‘Ghostbusters,’ and he’s a member of an acting troupe associated with director Wes Anderson, having served as the lead in the movie. ‘Anderson in 2004, “The Life”. Aquatics with Steve Zissou.
The suspension of filming on “Being Mortal” drew attention to past criticism of Murray’s behavior on set.
Actress Lucy Liu portrayed Murray insulting during the filming of “Charlie’s Angels” (2000), and actor Richard Dreyfuss said Murray threw an ashtray on him when they worked on “What About Bob?” (1991).
In a 2014 interview with Rolling Stone, Anderson said Murray had developed strong chemistry with a range of other actors.
In the CNBC interview, Murray said, “If we can’t really get along and trust each other, there’s no point in going any further by working together.” But, he added, “I think it’s a sad puppy that can’t learn anymore. I don’t want to be that sad dog, and I have no intention of being.
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