Wes Anderson and Bill Murray Tease a Long-Talked-About Western Film
If you've ever wondered what kind of movie Wes Anderson still has left to make, Bill Murray may have just revealed the answer. During a surprise onstage reunion in Paris, the longtime collaborators teased the possibility of finally making a Western together, and it sounds like it's an idea that's been sitting on the shelf for years.
The moment took place during Cinema Paradiso, the four-day celebration of movies, live music, and food hosted by MK2 in the courtyard of the Louvre Museum in Paris from July 1 through July 4.
Anderson was there introducing his acclaimed 2014 film The Grand Budapest Hotel when Murray suddenly joined him on stage, giving fans an entertaining look at what it's like working with one of cinema's most distinctive directors.
When asked about Anderson's directing style, Murray delivered exactly the kind of dry humor fans would expect.
“The question is: what is Wes like to work with on set? As you can see, he has a beautiful smile. Come on, smile. He has a beautiful smile, and he withholds it. He does not give us a smile all through the day.”
He kept the joke going by explaining how impossible it is to earn any visible approval from Anderson during filming.
“You can do a take, you can look at your director, you can finish the scene, you can shoot the reverse — nothing. But later, after Wes has had dessert, here comes that beautiful smile again. So he really needs dessert all day long.”
Murray wasn't finished poking fun at his friend. “That’s what he’s like to work with. I know that doesn’t sound professional — more medical — but it’s true.” He also joked that Anderson is "not happy unless" he has "chocolate or panna cotta."
The pair's working relationship stretches back nearly 30 years, with Murray appearing in ten Anderson films, including Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Moonrise Kingdom, The Grand Budapest Hotel, The French Dispatch, and The Phoenician Scheme. Murray was also originally set to appear in Asteroid City, but had to leave the production after contracting COVID while in England. Steve Carell ultimately stepped into the role.
The conversation eventually shifted from Anderson's directing habits to a project Murray has clearly wanted to see become a reality.
“The movie I want to make is a cowboy movie, because he’s (Anderson) from Texas, and I feel he owes the world a cowboy movie. That’s why I’ve started walking like this,”
Murray then demonstrated his best cowboy swagger for the audience. As it turns out, this wasn't just Murray throwing out a random idea. Anderson confirmed they've been talking about making a Western for quite some time, and he even hinted at who else could saddle up alongside them.
“We will do a Western, you know. I think. For many years, we’ve talked about doing a Western. Owen and Luke Wilson, I think, will be a part of that… They’re from Texas, too, and I think it’s our destiny.”
A Wes Anderson Western starring Bill Murray alongside Owen Wilson and Luke Wilson is one of those things that almost sounds too perfect not to happen. Anderson's unmistakable visual style mixed with dusty frontier landscapes could make for something completely different from the traditional cowboy film, while still delivering the quirky charm fans expect from his movies.
The announcement wasn't an official project reveal, so there's no word yet on whether the film is actually moving forward. Still, hearing Anderson openly say it's something they've discussed "for many years" makes it feel more like a matter of when than if.
As a fan of Anderson's films, this is a pretty exciting possibility.
Source: Variety