Bill Murray Reflects on Missed Opportunity with Clint Eastwood
Bill Murray recently shared his thoughts on a significant “what if”moment during his appearance on The Howard Stern Show. The esteemed actor reminisced about a particular film opportunity he wishes he had accepted, which would have paired him with the legendary Clint Eastwood.
A Longing for Collaboration
During the interview, host Howard Stern posed an intriguing question: “Have you ever watched a film and said I want to act with this guy so bad?” In response, Murray recalled his admiration for Eastwood during the latter’s earlier films, such as *Thunderbolt and Lightfoot*. He expressed a desire to collaborate, highlighting a scene where Eastwood’s sidekick experiences a dramatic demise and spurs on an avenging journey. Murray reflected, “I gotta call this guy,” showcasing his excitement at the prospect of working together.
The Missed Call
Following his enthusiasm, Murray indeed reached out to Eastwood, who unexpectedly responded with a question regarding another service comedy, given that Murray had just completed the film *Stripes*. While this was an enticing prospect, Murray hesitated, fearing he would become typecast in military roles. He mentioned a concern about paralleling famous duos like Abbott and Costello, thinking, “Geez, would I become like them if I had to do military movies?”
A Regretful Reflection
Ultimately, Murray chose to decline the offer. Looking back, he now considers this decision one of his few regrets. “It’s one of the few regrets I have is that I didn’t do it because it was a big-scale thing,” he confessed. He remembered the film involving impressive elements like actual World War II equipment, emphasizing it could have featured “some cool stuff.”
The Likely Film
The project in question was likely *Heartbreak Ridge*, a 1986 film directed by Eastwood himself, which showcases military themes and iconic action.
An Ongoing Apology
Even today, when Murray encounters Eastwood, he feels the need to apologize for passing up the opportunity. Nonetheless, he speculates that the Oscar-winning filmmaker has likely moved on from the incident.