Searchlight Pictures has suspended production of Being Mortal, the planned film based on Atul Gawande’s book, after star Bill Murray was accused of inappropriate behavior, People magazine reports.
The studio informed the film’s cast and crew of the decision in a letter which read, “We know you are all concerned about the recent delays in production and want to give you an update. Late last week, we were made aware of a complaint, and we immediately looked into it. After reviewing the circumstances, it has been decided that production cannot continue at this time.”
News of the film was announced in February. The movie is to be the directorial debut of actor and comedian Aziz Ansari (Parks and Recreation, Master of None), who also writes, produces, and acts in it. According to the film’s IMDb page, other cast members include Keke Palmer, Seth Rogen, Jimmy Walker Jr., and Kevin K. Tran.
Gawande’s book, published in 2014, draws from his own career as a surgeon, and discusses the role of medicine in aging and end-of-life care. A critic for Kirkus called the book “a sensitive, intelligent and heartfelt examination of the processes of aging and dying.”
The New York Times reports that Searchlight wrote in the letter to the cast and crew, “Please know that we are working with Aziz and [producer] Youree [Henley] in the days ahead to see if we are able to continue at the appropriate time.”
Michael Schaub is a Texas-based journalist and regular contributor to NPR.
