As a seasoned film critic who has spent years traversing the labyrinthine landscape of Tinseltown, I have come to appreciate the intricacies that define the enigmatic world of Hollywood. And yet, none compare to the elusive charm of Bill Murray, a man whose career trajectory is as unpredictable as a roller coaster ride on a stormy day.
In 2014, Naomi Watts and Bill Murray acted together for the first time in the touching film “St. Vincent.” Fast-forward to ten years later, and these talented actors are reprising their roles in “The Friend,” a poignant drama directed by Scott McGehee and David Siegel. However, reaching out to Murray for this role proved quite difficult at the time. Although they had worked together before, sending the script to Murray was no easy feat for Watts, but she was resolute about making it happen.
At the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), during the premiere of “The Friend”, Naomi Watts and co-director David Siegel had an exclusive chat with Collider. They opened up about their process of approaching Murray for “The Friend”. When asked about her working experience with Murray and if it was straightforward to cast him, Watts shared her thoughts on the matter.
Not constantly, but we’ve collaborated in the past. After our latest project, I anticipate we’ll communicate more frequently. I wasn’t certain if his contact details had changed and others have previously asked me to forward scripts to him. I’ve done so once before. When they discussed potential candidates for the character of Walter, and suggested Bill Murray’s name, it immediately resonated with me and I became determined to make it work. Initially, I felt a bit protective and questioned if they were using me as a means to reach Bill Murray. This reflects my self-worth; I was drawn to the concept and decided to give it a try.
Although reaching Murray wasn’t particularly challenging for Watts, convincing him to join the film project remained no walk in the park.
I sent a text message to him, and he replied promptly. However, sending an email isn’t an option as he doesn’t check digital messages. Instead, we had to print out the script and deliver it personally. I found out where he would be at a specific time since he doesn’t have an agent or anyone else to contact on his behalf. It’s uncertain when he’ll be available, but if this method works, there’s still no guarantee. He quickly took a liking to the story and read the book immediately. He prefers not to disclose his availability dates.
In this heartfelt drama titled “The Friend“, we follow the journey of a novelist and creative writing instructor portrayed by Watts, who is named Iris. A profound shift occurs in her life when her dearest friend and mentor, Walter (Murray), unexpectedly passes away, leaving Iris responsible for caring for his cherished Great Dane, Apollo. The movie, skillfully directed by McGhee and Siegel, delves into the complexities of friendship, loss, and recovery as it unfolds.
Why Is It Nearly Impossible To Reach Bill Murray?
Bill Murray has earned a remarkable reputation in Hollywood due to his unique approach to his career and unexpected moves. Renowned for his memorable performances in films such as Ghostbusters, Groundhog Day, and Lost in Translation, contacting this esteemed actor for a fresh project can be quite challenging.
Over the years, it’s been challenging to reach Murray due to him lacking an agent, manager, or personal mobile phone. Instead, he employs a toll-free number with a pre-recorded message for callers to interact with. In a 2022 interview with Far Out Magazine, Murray shared, “I disconnected my regular phone and then got an 800 number, which is quite useful… I’m not as disciplined as I used to be. This setup allows me to avoid answering any calls, and when I feel like communicating, I can check who called and what the message was. It has significantly liberated my life.
This method necessitates that movie directors either wait for casual interactions or consistently pursue contacting Bill Murray. His enigmatic personality even resulted in Murray turning down numerous film projects as he didn’t respond to messages promptly. He missed opportunities to play roles in Splash, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Rain Man, Forrest Gump, and Toy Story. Remarkably, despite some recent controversies, Murray’s career has maintained its luster, and his stardom continues to enthrall viewers.
Over the weekend, “The Friend” made its debut at TIFF, leaving many eager for the release of what appears to be another beloved film from the collaborative efforts of Watts and Murray. Though the global audience has yet to experience the tale, anticipation is high that it will join their list of favorites.
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2024-09-10 16:31