Derober has an interesting feature on “6 Crazy Hollywood Stories You Probably Haven’t Heard,” which are pretty crazy, but the one that caught our eye and the most probable one given all we’ve learned about comedian Bill Murray lately.
You’ll recall Murray’s recent divorce news in which he was accused of a serious ill-temper problem (beating his wife) and the fact, very much like his surly ‘Life Aquatic‘ character Steve Zissou, he enjoys the weed and going on many an offshore drunken escapade. So the story of Murray and why he didn’t appear as Bosley again in “Charlie’s Angels 2” (though the uber-arrogant James Cameron “Aliens” story is rather delicious) is rather interesting and telling, given his behavior.
The story seems rather simple when you think of it. Murray has notoriously never suffered fools gladly and well, given that he apparently hated actress Lucy Liu. People magazine had already reported that the two butted heads on set, and there was a major altercation on set as Murray “loudly complained about Liu’s [acting techniques], and Liu fired back — causing fellow actors, including Drew Barrymore and Cameron Diaz, to flee for their trailers and for shooting to cease for the day.” Well, it appears this was one major delicate euphemism. Derober writes:
“What actually transpired was much more intense. Bill Murray stopped a scene in progress and pointed to Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz, and Lucy Liu saying in order, “I get why you’re here, and you’ve got talent….but what in the hell are you doing here. You can’t act!” At that, Liu blew her lid and attacked Murray, wildly throwing punches. The actors had to be separated to opposite corners of the room while they lobbed verbal hand grenades at each other. With a Columbia Pictures gun to their heads, both actors would publicly downplay in incident but insiders know better. Bill Murray would not do any sequel with Liu attached and was subsequently replaced by Bernie Mac.”
Liu’s career seemingly hasn’t recovered, and one has to wonder if she, ironically, of all people, was the one blacklisted in the incident. Murray’s stories of belligerent behavior are notorious, and while amusing-sounding at first, all the repeat offenses and stories of acting sh*tty to people make one think if he’s ever going to face consequences.
