Bill Murray Complaint Forced ‘Being Mortal’ Production to Stop

Searchlight Pictures has suspended manufacturing on “Being Mortal,” a new movie starring Aziz Ansari, Seth Rogen and Monthly bill Murray, in excess of grievances about Murray’s inappropriate behavior on established.

The studio despatched a letter to the movie’s forged and crew on Wednesday, informing them filming experienced been suspended because of to an unspecified criticism. “Late previous 7 days, we were being designed knowledgeable of a criticism, and we immediately appeared into it,” the note reported. However resources at the time indicated the creation halt was not COVID-19 related, nor did it pertain to Ansari or Rogen, it was ambiguous what brought about the shutdown.

Searchlight Shots declined to remark on the investigation. It is not apparent if Murray will continue to be on board the film, or if he will be recast. Considering the fact that principal photography started off at the finish of March, virtually fifty percent of the movie experienced been shot just before creation was floor to a halt this week.

While the mother nature of the complaint against Murray is mysterious, this is not the 1st clash he’s been involved in on a movie established. On the 2000 motion-comedy “Charlie’s Angels,” star Lucy Liu reportedly confronted Murray for “hurling insults” at her next a rewrite of a scene devoid of his understanding.

Liu only a short while ago tackled the incident for the very first time final calendar year, contacting Murray’s habits “inexcusable and unacceptable.”

“I stood up for myself, and I never regret it,” she told the Los Angeles Occasions. “Because no make a difference how low on the totem pole you might be or wherever you came from, there’s no need to condescend or to set other people down.”

Ansari, who produced the Netflix series “Master of None,” is pulling quadruple duty on the movie. He’s producing, directing and creating “Being Mortal,” in addition to acting in the film. Searchlight is scheduled to launch the film theatrically in 2023.

In Wednesday’s observe to output, Searchlight reported “We are certainly grateful to all of you for anything you have put into this job. Our hope is to resume generation and [we] are operating with Aziz and [producer Youree Henley] to figure out that timing. Manufacturing will be in contact with you to share aspects on the wrap, and we will permit you know as quickly as we have extra information and facts to share.”

“Being Mortal” is centered on Atul Gawande’s 2014 nonfiction reserve “Being Mortal: Medication and What Issues in the End.” Gawande, a training surgeon, describes his guide — about aging, patients’ anxieties with regards to demise and doctor’s tendencies to fall again on phony hope — as acquiring the probable to “change medicine — and lives.” Via reflections and own stories, the ebook normally takes a search at the limitations and failures of contemporary drugs at the conclusion of a person’s lifetime. Plot facts have not been introduced. Thus, it is not crystal clear who Ansari, Rogen or Murray will engage in in the movie.

Ansari, the star of “Parks and Recreation,” took a break from Hollywood following sexual misconduct allegations were being leveled versus him in 2018. He due to the fact returned to movie and television with “Master of None: Moments in Love” and his sixth stand-up particular, “Nightclub Comic.”