Sofia Coppola on Miley Cyrus and Which Star Didn’t Make the ‘Very Murray Christmas’ Cast
”She was a good sport… I was really impressed with the showmanship,“ the director of the Bill Murray Netflix holiday special says of ”Wrecking Ball“ singer
Bill Murray has one of weirdest, widest-ranging on-screen careers in entertainment. His comedies (“Caddyshack,” “Stripes”) are beloved. His dramas (“Rushmore,” “Lost in Translation”) are respected. His exploits are the stuff of urban legend.
With the premiere Friday of his first holiday special, “A Very Murray Christmas” on Netflix, the mythology around the man expands. Murray is joined by a bevy of famous friends ranging from the mega-famous (George Clooney) to the weirdly hip (David Johansen). The plot is vintage Murray — a show-within-a-show structure in which a blizzard throws awry plans for the star to host a live Christmas special at the Carlyle hotel in New York.
Veteran Murray collaborator Sofia Coppola directed the special, and co-wrote it with Murray and Mitch Glazer.
“Mitch and I went to see Bill in Charleston and sat down and kind of fleshed out how we would do a holiday show,” the filmmaker told TheWrap. “It really came out of the fact that Bill was up for it and I wanted to see Bill sing.”
Coppola spoke with TheWrap about the special’s all-star cast, who didn’t make the cut, and the phenomenon that is Bill Murray.
Whose idea was it to have it be a show within a show?
Bill came up with that idea. We had different ideas for how he would be stuck in the hotel and how it starts out depressing and turns into the real joy of people being together at the holidays — which is something Bill is so good at, getting people together. Bill had the idea that he would be doing this kind of sellout corny Christmas show, then we thought of having the blizzard so they were trapped in the hotel. We wanted to have a small amount of storyline to have the variety show tradition of Christmas specials where there was no logic and anyone could drop by as long as they sang a holiday song.
Did you watch any old Christmas specials to prepare?
I watched a lot of them. The Carpenters had a very glamorous one that we looked at for the style of it — and Dean Martin and Bing Crosby and Andy Williams. I definitely watched a lot of variety shows. It was fun to revisit those and make our new version of it. I love that they haven’t been around for a while, so it was fun to think how we would do one.
How did the casting work?
We just thought of who we liked and admired. I love Chris Rock, and I knew that Bill knows him. So he called him up. Bill knew Jenny Lewis, so we got her to do a song. I knew Maya [Rudolph] had a great voice, but I didn’t know how impressive until she sang her song. So it was just getting people together who were game and who we admire. It’s like a party — putting together people who you think will hit it off.
Was there anyone who wanted to do it but couldn’t because of scheduling?
I think Danny McBride. We wanted him to be in it, then he had a conflict. I was really happy that Miley [Cyrus] was game. The people that ended up being in it were the ones who were up for it.
How did you reach out to Miley?
I knew her through Marc Jacobs, so I got a contact for her and asked. Her and Rashida and Maya just flew out for the day. She was a good sport. When we were short on a song, I asked if her and Paul [Shaffer] would be up for doing another song, and “Silent Night” they just figured out over lunch and added that. I was really impressed with the showmanship. And to hear her voice — I hadn’t heard her sing live without the whole thing behind her, so it was great.
Everyone in the show, but especially Bill, is drinking throughout. How much of that booze was real?
I don’t think any of it was, because it was early in the day. It wasn’t as boozy as it looked. I can only speak for myself though.
Bill Murray has this unique place in popular culture where moms and dads love him, young hipsters love him, and he has a sort of mythic status. Why is that?
There’s no one like him. He has lovable quality, it’s true, that many people are drawn to. But it’s hard to say why. I think it’s his combination of spontaneity and joy and charm. He brings joy wherever he goes.
'Jessica Jones' First Look at Mike Colter as Luke Cage, David Tennant's Purple Man (Photos)
Netflix released the first official images from the new Marvel series "Jessica Jones" on Thursday.
Most of the images prominently feature Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter), but others offer fans their first look at "Doctor Who" alum David Tennant as the villainous Kilgrave, a.k.a Purple Man, and Mike Colter as Luke Cage.
In the show, Jessica Jones is rebuilding her personal life and career as a detective in New York City after a tragedy cut her superhero career short.
Colter will also play Cage in his own Netflix series, which is set to debut in 2016. Then, following the debut of "Iron Fist," Cage, Jones, Daredevil, and Iron Fist will join forces for "The Defenders" miniseries.
"Jessica Jones" is executive produced by series showrunner Melissa Rosenberg and Liz Friedman, along with Jeph Loeb, who also serves as Marvel's head of television.
The Evolution of Marvel Movies: From Dolph Lundgren's 'Punisher' to 'Ant-Man' (Photos)
"Howard the Duck" (1986) - In this Marvel-meets-George-Lucas sci-fi comedy, a human-size duck is propelled to Earth from outer space as the result of a scientific mishap. Emphasis was placed on special effects and portraying Howard as a less cynical duck than that in the comic.
Universal Pictures
"The Punisher" (1989) - Dolph Lundgren donned a signature skull shirt for a violent adaptation of the story of vigilante Frank Castle, a.k.a The Punisher
New World Pictures
"Fantastic Four" (1994) - Legend has it that Roger Corman produced this low-budget adaptation so that a producer could retain the film rights to the comic. Though never released theatrically, it is available on YouTube.
New Horizons
"Generation X" (1996) - Hoping to capitalize on the popular “X-Men” animated series of the '90s, “Generation X” was a TV movie that aired on Fox about a school for the gifted run by Emma Frost and Banshee.
Fox Network
"Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D." (1998) - David Hasselhoff donned Nick Fury’s eye-patch long before Sam Jackson in this made-for-TV-movie that premiered on Fox.
Fury Productions/Fox Network
"Blade" (1998) - Wesley Snipes headlined as a half-man, half-vampire fighting against an evil bloodsucker intent on taking over the world
Marvel/New Line Cinema
"X-Men" (2000) - Hugh Jackman achieved international fame as Wolverine in the story of the famed Marvel superhero team
Marvel/Twentieth Century Fox
"Hulk" (2003) - Ang Lee's much maligned story of Bruce Banner (Eric Bana) as he struggles to control the raging monster within himself
Marvel/Universal Pictures
"Daredevil" (2003) - Ben Affleck earned plenty of scorn for his portrayal of the blind defender of Hell's Kitchen. Nevertheless, the film earned almost $180 million globally
Marvel/New Regency
"The Punisher" (2004) - Thomas Jane took over as Frank Castle in this ultra-violent vigilante tale that also starred John Travolta
Marvel/Lionsgate
"Elektra" (2005) - Jennifer Garner reprises her role as Elektra Natchios, an international assassin, in the spin-off from the more successful 2003 film, Daredevil.
Twentieth Century Fox
"Man-Thing" (2005) - Marvel tried its hand at horror with the “Man-Thing,” loosely based on Stan Lee's swamp monster comic from '71. It features a swamp-monster whose touch burns people who feel fear.
Lions Gate/Artisan Entertainment
"Ghost Rider" (2007) - Nicolas Cage and Eva Mendes starred in the story of a motorcycle daredevil (Cage) who sold his soul to the devil.
Marvel/Columbia Pictures
"Iron Man" (2008) - The movie that launched the MCU into the stratosphere starred Robert Downey Jr. as billionaire Tony Stark, a weapons manufacturerer who decides to defend the innocent who are caught in the path of the very weapons he once designed
Marvel/Paramount
"The Incredible Hulk" (2008) - Edward Norton took over the role of Dr. Bruce Banner in the setup to the eventual "Avengers" crossover
Marvel/Universal
"Captain America" (2011) - Chris Evans took up the red, white, and blue shield of the First Avenger as he fought against Hydra head Red Skull (Hugo Weaving)
Marvel/Paramount
"Thor" (2011) - Chris Hemsworth played the hammer-wielding god of thunder as he battles his brother, Loki (Tom Hiddleston), for control of the mythical realm of Asgard
Marvel/Paramount
"The Avengers" (2012) - The superhero team assembled for this blockbuster as they fought to prevent an alien invasion of Earth. Mark Ruffalo took over the role of Bruce Banner from Edward Norton
Marvel/Paramount
"Guardians of the Galaxy" (2014) - Chris Pratt proved himself to be an action superstar as Peter "Star-Lord" Quill in this intergalactic sensation that grossed almost $775 million
Marvel Studios
"Avengers: Age of Ultron" (2015) - The Avengers assemble once again as they try to stop Ultron, an A.I. built by Tony Stark that wants to destroy humanity
Marvel Studios
"Ant-Man" (2015) Paul Rudd plays a thief just out of prison who stumbles on a suit that shrinks him to microscopic size -- all the better to prevent Corey Stoll's evil executive from using the same technology for warfare.
Marvel Studios
1 of 22
Marvel adaptations have gone from cheesy fun films to guaranteed hits and box office gold
Netflix released the first official images from the new Marvel series "Jessica Jones" on Thursday.
Most of the images prominently feature Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter), but others offer fans their first look at "Doctor Who" alum David Tennant as the villainous Kilgrave, a.k.a Purple Man, and Mike Colter as Luke Cage.
In the show, Jessica Jones is rebuilding her personal life and career as a detective in New York City after a tragedy cut her superhero career short.
Colter will also play Cage in his own Netflix series, which is set to debut in 2016. Then, following the debut of "Iron Fist," Cage, Jones, Daredevil, and Iron Fist will join forces for "The Defenders" miniseries.
"Jessica Jones" is executive produced by series showrunner Melissa Rosenberg and Liz Friedman, along with Jeph Loeb, who also serves as Marvel's head of television.
The Evolution of Marvel Movies: From Dolph Lundgren's 'Punisher' to 'Ant-Man' (Photos)
"Howard the Duck" (1986) - In this Marvel-meets-George-Lucas sci-fi comedy, a human-size duck is propelled to Earth from outer space as the result of a scientific mishap. Emphasis was placed on special effects and portraying Howard as a less cynical duck than that in the comic.
Universal Pictures
"The Punisher" (1989) - Dolph Lundgren donned a signature skull shirt for a violent adaptation of the story of vigilante Frank Castle, a.k.a The Punisher
New World Pictures
"Fantastic Four" (1994) - Legend has it that Roger Corman produced this low-budget adaptation so that a producer could retain the film rights to the comic. Though never released theatrically, it is available on YouTube.
New Horizons
"Generation X" (1996) - Hoping to capitalize on the popular “X-Men” animated series of the '90s, “Generation X” was a TV movie that aired on Fox about a school for the gifted run by Emma Frost and Banshee.
Fox Network
"Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D." (1998) - David Hasselhoff donned Nick Fury’s eye-patch long before Sam Jackson in this made-for-TV-movie that premiered on Fox.
Fury Productions/Fox Network
"Blade" (1998) - Wesley Snipes headlined as a half-man, half-vampire fighting against an evil bloodsucker intent on taking over the world
Marvel/New Line Cinema
"X-Men" (2000) - Hugh Jackman achieved international fame as Wolverine in the story of the famed Marvel superhero team
Marvel/Twentieth Century Fox
"Hulk" (2003) - Ang Lee's much maligned story of Bruce Banner (Eric Bana) as he struggles to control the raging monster within himself
Marvel/Universal Pictures
"Daredevil" (2003) - Ben Affleck earned plenty of scorn for his portrayal of the blind defender of Hell's Kitchen. Nevertheless, the film earned almost $180 million globally
Marvel/New Regency
"The Punisher" (2004) - Thomas Jane took over as Frank Castle in this ultra-violent vigilante tale that also starred John Travolta
Marvel/Lionsgate
"Elektra" (2005) - Jennifer Garner reprises her role as Elektra Natchios, an international assassin, in the spin-off from the more successful 2003 film, Daredevil.
Twentieth Century Fox
"Man-Thing" (2005) - Marvel tried its hand at horror with the “Man-Thing,” loosely based on Stan Lee's swamp monster comic from '71. It features a swamp-monster whose touch burns people who feel fear.
Lions Gate/Artisan Entertainment
"Ghost Rider" (2007) - Nicolas Cage and Eva Mendes starred in the story of a motorcycle daredevil (Cage) who sold his soul to the devil.
Marvel/Columbia Pictures
"Iron Man" (2008) - The movie that launched the MCU into the stratosphere starred Robert Downey Jr. as billionaire Tony Stark, a weapons manufacturerer who decides to defend the innocent who are caught in the path of the very weapons he once designed
Marvel/Paramount
"The Incredible Hulk" (2008) - Edward Norton took over the role of Dr. Bruce Banner in the setup to the eventual "Avengers" crossover
Marvel/Universal
"Captain America" (2011) - Chris Evans took up the red, white, and blue shield of the First Avenger as he fought against Hydra head Red Skull (Hugo Weaving)
Marvel/Paramount
"Thor" (2011) - Chris Hemsworth played the hammer-wielding god of thunder as he battles his brother, Loki (Tom Hiddleston), for control of the mythical realm of Asgard
Marvel/Paramount
"The Avengers" (2012) - The superhero team assembled for this blockbuster as they fought to prevent an alien invasion of Earth. Mark Ruffalo took over the role of Bruce Banner from Edward Norton
Marvel/Paramount
"Guardians of the Galaxy" (2014) - Chris Pratt proved himself to be an action superstar as Peter "Star-Lord" Quill in this intergalactic sensation that grossed almost $775 million
Marvel Studios
"Avengers: Age of Ultron" (2015) - The Avengers assemble once again as they try to stop Ultron, an A.I. built by Tony Stark that wants to destroy humanity
Marvel Studios
"Ant-Man" (2015) Paul Rudd plays a thief just out of prison who stumbles on a suit that shrinks him to microscopic size -- all the better to prevent Corey Stoll's evil executive from using the same technology for warfare.
Marvel Studios
1 of 22
Marvel adaptations have gone from cheesy fun films to guaranteed hits and box office gold