Wes Anderson and Bill Murray Hint at Epic Western Collaboration at Louvre Event

A surprise onstage reunion in Paris saw acclaimed filmmaker Wes Anderson and his frequent collaborator Bill Murray tease an upcoming Western project. The duo, appearing at the Cinema Paradiso festival, revealed that they have "for many years" discussed making a Western film, potentially involving Owen and Luke Wilson, who, like Anderson, hail from Texas.

The exchange took place during the star-studded four-day Cinema Paradiso festival, organized by indie film powerhouse MK2. Held in the historic courtyard of the Louvre museum in Paris from July 1-4, the event features open-air screenings and live music. Murray made an unexpected appearance while Anderson was presenting his 2014 classic, "The Grand Budapest Hotel," much to the delight of the audience.

Murray, known for his deadpan humor, playfully described Anderson's on-set demeanor. "The question is: what is Wes like to work with on set?" Murray quipped. "As you can see, he has a beautiful smile. Come on, smile. He has a beautiful smile, and he withholds it. He does not give us a smile all through the day." He continued, explaining that Anderson's smile only appears "later, after Wes has had dessert," humorously adding that the director "is not happy unless" he has "chocolate or panna cotta."

Bill Murray has been a staple in Anderson's cinematic universe, having appeared in 10 of the director's films over nearly three decades. His collaborations span iconic titles such as "Rushmore," "The Royal Tenenbaums," "The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou," "Fantastic Mr. Fox," "Moonrise Kingdom," "The Grand Budapest Hotel," "The French Dispatch," and "The Phoenician Scheme." Murray was also slated for Anderson’s "Asteroid City" but had to withdraw due to contracting COVID, with Steve Carell stepping in.

The discussion then turned to the Western concept. Murray expressed his desire for such a film, stating, "The movie I want to make is a cowboy movie, because he’s (Anderson) from Texas, and I feel he owes the world a cowboy movie." He even adopted a Western gait to emphasize his point. Anderson confirmed the long-standing nature of the idea, asserting, "We will do a Western, you know. I think. For many years, we’ve talked about doing a Western. Owen and Luke Wilson, I think, will be a part of that… They’re from Texas, too, and I think it’s our destiny."

For MK2, the festival's organizer, this spontaneous moment encapsulated the spirit of Cinema Paradiso. Elisha Karmitz, co-CEO of MK2, described the event as designed to "create a sense of wonder through cinema" by harmoniously blending film, music, and gastronomy for a broad public. Karmitz noted that it feels "more like a music festival where films are being screened than a traditional film festival," emphasizing MK2's decade-long commitment to "eventizing films" and fostering shared cinematic experiences.

Held outdoors at night, the festival accommodates 3,000 spectators on deckchairs within the Louvre’s Cour Carrée. Access is free through a lottery system, attracting around 200,000 ticket requests annually. Despite its free admission, Cinema Paradiso operates with an approximate €2 million production budget, entirely financed through sponsors rather than ticket sales. Key sponsors include Japanese cinema entrepreneur Mr. Kinoshita, a supporter since 2019, as well as Chanel, which has backed MK2 for multiple editions, and Peugeot, with whom MK2 recently staged a Paradiso drive-in activation.

This year's Cinema Paradiso lineup mirrors the festival's diverse programming, balancing cinephile nostalgia, contemporary auteurs, live music, and Parisian spectacle. Beyond Anderson and Murray's appearance, the four-night program included Joachim Trier presenting his Oscar-winning film "The Worst Person in the World," Léa Mysius showcasing her Cannes competition film "Birthday Girl" alongside Monica Bellucci, and a closing screening of Celine Sciamma’s "Portrait of a Lady on Fire," chosen for its visual connection to the Louvre’s collections. Karmitz explained that the programming is curated around a balance of cult titles, recent classics, previews, and films connected to the venue itself, driven by the passion for cinema and creating community experiences.

MK2 has played a significant role in fostering alternative cultural offerings in Paris. The family-owned company, led by brothers Nathanaël and Elisha Karmitz, operates a popular arthouse exhibition chain in the city and has garnered four prizes at the Cannes Film Festival. MK2 recently opened its capital to the public for the first time in its 52-year history through a crowdfunding campaign on the investment platform Lita. This initiative aims to bankroll the modernization and expansion of the MK2 Bibliothèque, a 20-screen complex in the 13th arrondissement, which is considered Paris’ third largest movie theater.