Lucy Liu reflects on Bill Murray feud during 'Charlie's Angels'
In a new interview, Lucy Liu has discussed standing up to Bill Murray on 'Charlie's Angels' set after the comedy icon made "inexcusable" comments/
(Credits: Sony Pictures)
Film » Film News
Mon 13 January 2025 16:06, UK
Presence star Lucy Liu has reflected on standing up to Bill Murray after he made “inexcusable” comments while shooting Charlie’s Angels.
In 2021, Liu first discussed her disagreement with Murray during an appearance on the Los Angeles Times’ Asian Enough podcast. She recalled of the incident: “As we’re doing the scene, Bill starts to sort of hurl insults, and I won’t get into the specifics, but it kept going on and on.”
Liu went on to say that she “couldn’t believe” the language that Murray was using towards her, adding “I literally do the look around my shoulder thing, like, who is he talking to behind me? I say, ‘I’m so sorry. Are you talking to me?’ And clearly, he was because then it started to become a one-on-one communication.”
While Liu didn’t reveal exactly what Murray said, she explained, “Some of the language was inexcusable and unacceptable, and I was not going to just sit there and take it. So, yes, I stood up for myself, and I don’t regret it. Because no matter how low on the totem pole you may be or wherever you came from, there’s no need to condescend or to put other people down. And I would not stand down, and nor should I have.”
At the time, Liu was yet to become the big Hollywood name she is today, but staying silent wasn’t an option for the actor. She told The Guardian in a new interview: “I really didn’t think about it. I would have done that in any situation. I think when I sense something is not right, I am going to protect myself. It’s an innate thing to do if you feel there’s injustice, and I always feel that way.”
Liu then explained how it’s not in her nature to play the game, even though she concedes her career “would have been a much easier road.”
Murray previously acknowledged Liu’s original comments in 2022, telling CNBC: “I had a difference of opinion with a woman I’m working with. I did something I thought was funny, and it wasn’t taken that way”.
The Ghostbusters star continued: “The world is different than it was when I was a little kid. What I always thought was funny as a little kid isn’t necessarily the same as what’s funny now”.
In 2022, production on Aziz Ansari’s directorial debut, Being Mortal, was suspended following Murray receiving an accusation of sexual misconduct by a female staffer. According to Puck, Murray reached a $100,000 settlement with the accuser. Production is yet to resume on the movie.
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Bill MurrayLucy Liu