Bill Murray tried to make allegation he straddled, kissed female crew member go away, report says

Try as Bill Murray might, including paying out a reported six-figure settlement, the actor  hasn’t been able to make up for the fact that his alleged “inappropriate behavior” on the set of the film “Being Mortal” led to the production being halted in April.

Unfortunately, for everyone involved in the production, no one knows if or when production will resume, according to a new report from Puck. Murray’s career also remains in a “kind of purgatory” over whether or not he’s been “canceled,” while Puck also details what Murray did that led to him being caught up in Hollywood’s latest #MeToo scandal.

Back in April, shortly after production was shut down, Murray admitted in an interview with CNBC that he engaged in behavior on the set of “Being Mortal” that he thought was “funny, and it wasn’t taken that way,” Deadline reported.

The 72-year-old movie star also said, “You know, what I always thought was funny as a little kid isn’t necessarily the same as what’s funny now. 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.”

What Murray allegedly thought funny was recounted to Puck writer Eriq Gardner, who noted that the actor has attained the status as a sort of “secular saint,” known to the general public for his cross-generational appeal. On the other hand, Hollywood insiders apparently have gotten to know Murray in another way, with the beloved comedy icon gaining a reputation for being rude and mean to strangers, co-stars, directors and intimate partners, according to reports over the years.

On the set of “Being Mortal,” Murray allegedly became particularly friendly with a young female staffer and even felt that she had been flirting with him, Gardner reported. At one point, when the two were near a bed that was part of the production, “Murray started kissing her body and straddling her.”

Perhaps Murray’s move was “an unclear bit of physical comedy,” but it was unannounced, Gardner reported. The woman alleged she couldn’t move because Murray outweighed her. She also said he kissed her on the mouth, though the two were wearing masks, due to COVID safety protocols.

As Murray said in his CNBC interview, he thought he was being funny, but the woman interpreted his actions “as entirely sexual,” Gardner said. She was “horrified” and filed a complaint, as did another staffer who witnessed the incident, Gardner added.

The complaints traveled up the chain of Searchlight Pictures, which is owned by Disney, Gardner reported. Searchlight executives decided to suspend the production. Murray was left feeling “miserable,” not just over what he thought was a “miscommunication” between him and the production staffer, but also over how his co-workers had essentially lost their jobs.

Murray tried to remedy the situation by engaging the staffer in mediation, Gardner reported. She shared his desire to finish the film and accepted a settlement from the actor that was “just north of $100,000,” Gardner said. She also agreed to keep the matter confidential and to waive any future legal claims against the producers of “Being Mortal,” including Searchlight and Disney.

“Being Mortal” is based on the non-fiction book about end-of-life care by physician and New Yorker writer Atul Gawande. The book was adapted for the screen by Aziz Ansari, who was making his directorial debut. Ansari incidentally dealt with his own “controversially borderline” #MeToo allegations in 2018, Gardner noted. “Being Mortal,” which also stars Seth Rogen, was due for release in 2023.

Gardner explained that there are a number of reasons that the production hasn’t restarted, which “speak to how Hollywood has changed in the #MeToo era.” In some cases, actors embroiled in a #MeToo scandal have been replaced, or sometimes the project is scrapped entirely. Gardner said it looks like “Being Mortal” is headed toward cancellation, a choice that also may have to do with Disney being averse to any kind of controversy.