Aziz Ansari Still Hopes to Finish Scrapped Bill Murray Movie Being Mortal: “It Means a Lot to All of Us”

October 18, 2025: Comedian and filmmaker Aziz Ansari is keeping hope alive for his long-shelved directorial debut, Being Mortal, which was halted in 2022 after on-set allegations against Bill Murray brought production to a standstill. Despite the years that have passed, Ansari revealed that he’s still determined to finish the film someday — describing it as a project that “means a lot to all of us.”

A Dream Project Interrupted

Being Mortal was poised to mark Ansari’s transition from acclaimed comedian to serious filmmaker. The film, adapted from Atul Gawande’s bestselling book, was set to explore end-of-life care and humanity’s relationship with mortality — a far cry from Ansari’s comedic roots in Parks and Recreation and Master of None.

However, just weeks before completion, production was abruptly shut down after complaints surfaced about Murray’s behavior on set. The decision left the cast and crew in limbo, with no clear path forward.

Aziz Ansari Reflects on the Pause

In a recent conversation with Variety, Ansari shared that despite the challenges, he hasn’t given up. “It’s something I still think about,” he said. “I poured a lot of myself into that story, and everyone involved brought so much heart to it. It means a lot to all of us, and I really hope one day people get to see it.”

While no official plans have been made to resume production, Ansari’s optimism suggests that Being Mortal might not be gone for good — especially as Hollywood continues to explore ways to revive unfinished projects in the streaming era.

The Road Ahead

As of now, both Ansari and Murray have remained relatively quiet about the incident that halted the project. Murray previously acknowledged that he was “trying to make peace” with what happened, while Ansari has continued working in comedy and stand-up, carefully rebuilding momentum behind the scenes.

Whether Being Mortal eventually sees completion or remains a “what could have been,” it’s clear the project holds deep emotional value for everyone involved. For Ansari, it’s not just about finishing a film — it’s about completing a creative chapter that remains open.