Searchlight Pictures has suspended production of Being Mortal, which was set to be actor/comedian Aziz Ansari’s directorial debut. Ansari was also slated to star in the film alongside Bill Murray and Seth Rogen.
Variety has confirmed that the studio has sent a letter to the cast and crew of Being Mortal advising them that production has been put on hold. Searchlight cites a recent complaint which, after an investigation, led to the decision “that production cannot proceed at this time”.
“We are really grateful to you all for everything you put into this project. Our hope is to resume production and [we] work with Aziz and [producer Youree Henley] to figure out that timing,” the letter said. “Production will be in touch with you to provide details on the foiling and we will let you know as soon as we have more information to share.”
A person familiar with the production says the complaint was not directed at Ansari. The ‘Master of None’ star was said to have worked extensively with production partner Henley to both address the complaint and move forward with the production.
It’s not clear when filming might resume. A representative for Ansari did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Deadline was the first to report news, stating that the formal suspension came three days after the initial production halt. The original report also states that the suspension is not related to COVID-19.
Being Mortal is based on the non-fiction book Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande. Principal photography began in late March and the film was reportedly halfway through its planned production before being shelved. Being Mortal was scheduled for release in 2023.
Read the full letter to the film’s cast and crew below:
Dear Being Mortal cast and crew,
We know that you are all concerned about the recent production delays and would like to give you an update.
At the end of last week we became aware of a complaint which we immediately investigated. After reviewing the circumstances, it was decided that production cannot proceed at this time.
We are really grateful to you all for everything you put into this project. We hope to be able to resume production and are working with Aziz and Youree to figure out that timing.
Production will be in touch with you to provide wrap details and we will let you know as soon as we have more information to share.
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