(Image credit: Roadside Attractions)
Bill Murray, a true icon in comedy, still harbors some wishes that never came to fruition. During an appearance on The Howard Stern Show, the star known for his roles in films like Ghostbusters and Groundhog Day shared a particular regret: not working with the legendary director, Clint Eastwood.
The opportunity almost presented itself years ago. After his renowned performance in Stripes, a hilarious military comedy, Murray was eager to collaborate with Eastwood. “I was like, I got to call this guy. So I called him out of the blue, and he said, ‘Would you ever want to do another service comedy?’” Murray reminisced. Eastwood had conceived an ambitious idea for a naval comedy, but the concept didn’t quite appeal to the SNL veteran at the time.
Reflecting on the past, Murray shared his hesitations: “And when he said, ‘Would you ever want to do another service comedy,’ I thought, ‘Would I become like Abbott and Costello? Do I have to keep doing military movies?’ It made me think twice,” he admitted. “Looking back, it’s one of the few regrets I have is that I didn’t do it. The project was grand, and it was more than just a comedy.”
Murray further explained that Eastwood’s idea included access to World War II boats, hinting at the scale and potential excitement of the production. “It was big. I would have had a chance to experience something extraordinary, even without a dramatic death scene,” he mentioned.
Today, when Murray encounters Eastwood, he expresses his regret. “When I see him, I’m like: ‘I’m sorry, I wish I’d done that Clint, I’m really sorry.’ But Clint has moved past it; he’s a resilient fellow,” Murray noted. Although this movie collaboration never transpired, fans can still explore Bill Murray’s best films, even though none feature Clint Eastwood.
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