Bill Murray addresses the Being Mortal set complaint that led to the suspension of production on the Aziz Ansari-directed film.
Speaking to CNBC on Saturday, the actor said there was a “disagreement” with a woman he works with that led to the complaint and production hiatus. “I did something that I thought was funny and it wasn’t received that way,” he told the outlet.
He gave no further details about exactly what happened on set, but CNBC reported that Murray, who spoke about the incident during an on-camera interview with the business network at Berkshire Hathaway’s annual meeting, was “optimistic” that the Production would resume and that the incident would be resolved between him and the woman.
“Right now we’re talking and we’re trying to make peace with each other,” said the actor and comedian, who is also reportedly a shareholder of Berkshire Hathaway. “We are both professionals. We like each other’s work. We like each other, I think, and if we don’t really understand and trust each other, then there’s no point in continuing to work together or in making the film. It was quite an education for me.”
Murray said he’s spent time thinking about what happened since production was shut down.
“The world is different from when I was a child. You know, what I always found funny as a little kid isn’t necessarily the same as what’s funny now,” he said. “Things change and times change, so it’s important for me to find out. And I think the most important thing is that it’s what’s best for the other person. I’ve thought about it, and if it’s not for the other person’s best, it doesn’t matter what happens to me.”
Murray said “what would make me happiest” would be if both he and the wife were able to “go back to work and … trust each other and work at work that we both have a lot of time for.” expended to develop the skills .”
Regarding his behavior and learning from his mistakes, Murray said, “I think it’s a sad dog that can’t learn anymore.”
“This is a really sad pup who can’t study anymore,” he continued. “I don’t want to be that sad dog, and I don’t intend to.”
confirmed on April 21 that Searchlight Pictures had suspended production of Ansari’s directorial debut after a complaint of inappropriate behavior involving Murray was filed last week. A source close to the production of Being Mortal told THR that the director and his producing partner Youree Henley are working with the Disney-backed studio to work out the next steps.
Searchlight is currently investigating the matter, but told THR in a statement that they “are not commenting on the investigation.”
The film, which is based on the non-fiction book Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande, also stars Ansari – who wrote the screenplay – Seth Rogen and Keke Palmer.
Watch Murray’s CNBC interview below.