Bill Murray Says There’s One Director He Wishes He Had Worked With: ‘It’s One of the Few Regrets I Have’

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Bill Murray admits that while he’s largely content with his action-packed career, there’s one significant part he regrets passing on.

A past “Saturday Night Live” actor expressed regret to Howard Stern about not getting a chance to work on a film with Clint Eastwood, potentially due to apprehension about being stereotyped in future roles.

Recently, I found myself revisiting Clint Eastwood’s films from that era, such as ‘Thunderbolt and Lightfoot’, and I mused: ‘His partner meets a tragic end, but Clint avenges, yet the partner’s role is significant, with an impactful death scene,'” he shared with Stern this week.

After the success of his 1981 hit comedy “Stripes,” Murray felt inspired and reached out to Eastwood, expressing his interest in working with him.

In a conversation, Murray mentioned that he received an unexpected call from someone suggesting another service comedy, having recently finished ‘Stripes’. This person had a grand idea for a Navy-themed project. When asked if he would consider another service comedy, Murray felt apprehensive about potentially being typecast as Abbott and Costello, and questioned whether he should take on more military roles. He hesitated but ultimately replied, “Well, I suppose I might.

In the ensuing years, Eastwood directed and starred in the movie “Heartbreak Ridge,” portraying Marine Gunnery Sergeant Tom Highway, a war-themed production.

One thing I often wish I’d done is what I didn’t, as it was a large-scale project that would have been fantastic. Though it might not have given me an iconic death scene due to its comedic nature, it still had potential. He could have used World War II vessels to create a flotilla and there were some exciting elements involved,” he explained, expressing his regret.

He added, “Whenever I encounter him, I find myself saying, ‘I’m sorry I didn’t do that, Clint. I truly am.’ He has clearly moved on from it. He’s undeniably a strong and robust individual.

Initially, “Stripes” was intended for Cheech and Chong, but their representative declined the offer. As Murray explained, “They could have had a blast with it, there were plenty of scenes involving stoners.” With Ivan Reitman at the helm and Murray alongside John Candy, “Stripes” eventually became the fifth-highest earning film of the year at the box office.

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2025-03-29 20:18