UPDATED: Aziz Ansari – Bill Murray production shut down after complaint

(This story has been updated with more information about the complaint)

Searchlight halted production for the directorial debut of Aziz Ansari following complaints of inappropriate behavior by co-star Bill Murray, reports ET Canada.

Being Mortal stars Ansari along with Bill Murray and Seth Rogen.

Sources told Deadline which broke the story that the complaint is not against Ansari and that he and his producing partner Youree Henley are working together with the studio to figure out what to do next.

More details about the complaint have not surface, but just last year, Lucy Liu spoke out about her time with Murray on the movie set of Charlie’s Angel. She called the actor’s behavior towards her as “inexcusable and unacceptable.” According to ET Canada, felllow co-star Drew Barrymore later confirmed the incident.

LATEST STORIES

Kristi Yamaguchi honored with her own Barbie doll

Zach Edey officially declares for the NBA draft

’30 Rock’ actor’s anti-bullying talk canceled by Pennsylvania school board

AsAmNews Report for America journalist to be placed in Maui

Cherry Blossom Festival in San Francisco attracts crowd

Variety posted a letter distributed to the Mortal Cast addressing the shutdown.

“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,” the letter read in part.

“We are truly grateful to all of you for everything you’ve put into this project. Our hope is to resume production and are working with Aziz and Youree to figure out that timing.“

There’s no word on when production might resume. Variety says the film had already completed half of its production when the delay occurred. It’s based on a book by

There’s no word on when production might resume. Variety says the film had already completed half of its production when the delay occurred. It’s based on a nonfiction work by Atul Gawande entitled Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End.

Ansari wrote the script, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The original book focuses on death and aging and how the medical community mishandles both.

Bill Murray photo By Greg 2600 via Wikimedia Creative Commons

Aziz Ansari photo by David Shankbone via Wikimedia Creative Commons

AsAmNews has Asian America in its heart. We’re an all-volunteer effort of dedicated staff and interns. Check out our new Instagram account. Go to our Twitter feed and Facebook page for more content. Please consider interning, joining our staff, or submitting a story, or making a contribution.