Production on Aziz Ansari’s directorial film debut, Being Mortal, has reportedly been suspended due to an alleged complaint regarding its star Bill Murray.
According to Deadline, the alleged complaint is for “inappropriate behaviour” and was made last week.
Production had already been halted for three days after the initial complaint. The decision to fully suspend production was shared with cast and crew on Wednesday night in a letter.
“Late last week, we were made aware of a complaint, and we immediately looked into it,” read the letter, reported Vanity Fair.
“After reviewing the circumstances, it has been decided that production cannot continue at this time. We are truly grateful to all of you for everything you’ve put into this project. Our hope is to resume production and are working with Aziz and Youree to figure out that timing.” Youree Henley is producing the film.
Being Mortal is based on surgeon Atul Gawande’s 2014 book, Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End. As well as directing, Ansari – who helms his own Netflix show Master of None – has written and will star in the film, alongside Seth Rogen.
The film was mooted for a 2023 release. However, Deadline states that it is now unclear if the film will meet this date thanks to the suspension. Production reportedly started on 28 March.
A representative of Murray’s has been contacted for comment.
In 2021, Lucy Liu opened up about the alleged dispute she had with Murray while filming the 2000 movie Charlie’s Angels.
Speaking on the Los Angeles Times’s Asian Enough podcast, the actor said that she wouldn’t “get into the specifics” but there was a moment where she stood up to Murray while on set.
