While veteran actor and funnymanBill Murrayhas had some less-than-flattering headlines published about him in recent years, his longtime palWes Andersonis still in theGhostbustersstar’s corner. In years past, Murray and Anderson have frequently collaborated, and that partnership was set to continue with the new movieAsteroid City. However, while Murray had been initially cast for a role in the film, he wound up exiting before production began. It was reported at the time that this was due to a COVID-19 diagnosis, though there was speculation that Murray’s controversy played a role in his departure.
In a new interview withIndieWire, Anderson is setting the record straight. He says that the controversy with Murray has not and will not affect their working relationship, as he hopes to continue working with the actor on future projects. He also recalls how Murray was such a big supporter of his from the very start, some despite some bad publicity, Anderson doesn’t want to turn his back on his longtime friend, describing how the two have essentially become like “family” at this point in their lives.
“My experience with Bill is so extensive. Bill was such a great supporter of me from the very beginning,” recalls Anderson. “I don’t want to speak about somebody else’s experience, but he’s really part of my family. You know, he’s my daughter’s godfather. In fact, he actually baptized her. He’s the one who splashed the water.”
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Some of the many films directed by Anderson to feature Murray in years past includeRushmore,The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou,The Royal Tenenbaums,The Darjeeling Limited,Fantastic Mr. Fox,The Grand Budapest Hotel,Moonrise Kingdom, and more. Murray’s most recent collaboration with the director was for the 2021 movieThe French Dispatch. As for why Murray isn’t inAsteroid City, Anderson confirms that this was because of an unfortunately-timed COVID-19 diagnosis and nothing more.
“He was supposed to play the motel manager who Steve Carell plays, and Bill got COVID four days before he was supposed to start shooting,” Anderson says. “He was in Ireland and in the case of our movie, we had schedules of so many people that are all puzzled around. The people who Bill was supposed to play scenes with were going to be gone by the time he cleared the COVID protocols and stuff. And in fact, he was quite sick. So Bill missed his part and Steve Carell came in quite suddenly.”
The director continued, “Then when Bill got better, he came to Spain. At the end of the movie [where ‘Asteroid’ shot], we finished the movie, and Bill and I got in a car and drove to France. It was a great way to finish but it was the first time I hadn’t had him in a movie in a long time.”
Seems like Murray will likely be involved with Anderson’s next film, even if he’s not in this one.Asteroid Citywill hit theaters on June 23.
