Bill Murray Breaks Silence On 'Being Mortal' Misconduct Suspension

Actor Bill Murray is speaking out for the first time about his suspension on the set of “Being Mortal.”

The film marked the directorial debut for Aziz Ansari, who was also starring, writing, and producing the film along with his partner, Yoree Henley. No complaints were filed against him, or costar Seth Rogan.

Although Searchlight will not comment on an ongoing investigation, the film has been paused halfway through production until the misconduct allegation against Murray has been settled.

According to Deadline, Murray sat down with CNBC at the 2022 Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholders meeting on Saturday. In an interview with Becky Quick, the “Ghostbusters” actor described a “difference of opinion” with a woman on set that resulted in the misconduct allegations.

“I did something I thought was funny, and it wasn’t taken that way,” Murray explained during the interview. “The company, the movie studio, wanted to do the right thing, so they wanted to check it all out, investigate it. and so they stopped the production.”

However, it seems both Murray and his fans are hoping that filming will resume shortly.

“But as of now, we’re talking and we’re trying to make peace with each other. I think that’s where the real issue is, between our peace,” he continued. “We’re both professionals. We like each other’s work. We like each other, I think, and if you can’t really get along and trust each other, there’s no point in going further working together or making a movie as well.”

“The Dead Don’t Die” actor revealed that he hasn’t been doing much since the film stopped production. Instead, he’s been spending most of his time reflecting on what happened. He said, “It’s been quite an education for me.”

“And I feel like if I don’t see that, you know, the world is different than it was when I was a little kid. You know, what I always thought was funny as a little kid isn’t necessarily the same as what’s funny now,” Murray explained. “Things change and the times change, so it’s important for me to figure it out. And I think the most important thing is that it’s best for the other person. I thought about it, and if it’s not best for the other person, doesn’t matter what happens for me.”

“How could I misperceive? How could I be so inaccurate and so insensitive when you think you’re being sensitive to some sensibility that you’ve had for a long time?” Murray asked himself. “So we’re talking about it. We’re, I think we’re going to make peace with it. I’m very optimistic about that.”

The “Zombieland” star also said that he is trying to learn from what happened.

“I really think that’s a really sad puppy that can’t learn anymore. I don’t want to be that sad dog and I have no intention of it,” he said. “I’ve, what would make me the happiest would be to, you know, put my boots on and for both of us to go back into work and be able to trust each other and work at the work that we’ve both spent a lot of time developing the skill of, and hopefully do something that’s good for more than just the two of us, but for a whole crew of people, a whole crew of moviemakers, and the movie studio as well.”

He compared his situation to Berkshire Hathaway’s openness about its own mistakes in the past. “I couldn’t not connect to it,” Murray said. “I mean, I see these two brilliant fellas who are most proud, in a way, of their mistakes.”

The film “Being Mortal” is based on Atul Gawande’s nonfiction book titled “Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End.” Deadline reported that principal photography had started on March 28 and sources told the outlet that production on the movie was halfway through production when it was halted due to the misconduct allegation.

At this time, it is unknown if Murray will be allowed to resume filming on the movie once the investigation has been concluded. The studio originally planned to release the film in 2023, but it is unclear if the film’s current suspension will delay its release.