Lucy Liu reflects on her experience speaking out against Bill Murray on the set ofCharlie’s Angels. The originalCharlie’s Angelswas a 1976 TV movie pilot, but was famously remade in 2000. This movie starred the trio of Liu, Cameron Diaz, and Drew Barrymore as the titular private detectives,aka “Charlie’s angels”. Murray played Bosley in the film among a supporting cast that included Sam Rockwell, Kelly Lynch, Tim Curry, Matt LeBlanc, Crispin Glover, Luke Wilson, and LL Cool J. The film got a sequel three years later titledCharlie’s Angels: Full Throttle, which saw these leads reprise their roles.
Speaking withThe Guardian, Liu reflected on confronting Murray on the set ofCharlie’s Angels. In describing her troublesome relationship with Murray on set, Liu mentioned that her co-star used language with her that was “inexcusable and unacceptable” and she called him out on it. She does not regret this interaction, saying that when she “sense[s] something is not right, [she is] going to protect [her]self.” Check out the full explanation from Liu below:
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.
If I was [someone who kept quiet], it would have been a much easier road. But because I’ve never been that person, we had to find a way. I think there has never been an easy road, for me and for us – and I say ‘us’, because I really think it’s a group effort. I would never take credit. My career has not been paved by myself.
What This Set Drama Meant For Bill Murray & Lucy Liu
Liu Spoke Out About These Issues Several Years Ago
Liu previously came forward about this interaction back in 2021. At that time, Liu described aCharlie’s Angelsexperience wherein she was working on a scene with Murray that had been reworked without theGroundhog Dayactor’s knowledge. The reason Murray was not aware of the changes was because the scene had been redone over a weekend when Murray was unable to attend. At the rehearsal with Liu, Murray was reported to nastily throw insults, though the content of said insults was not specified.
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Liu’s most recent quote about the situation likely refers to thisCharlie’s Angelssituation unearthed nearly four years ago. The Alex Munday actor is still unspecific about what exactly Murray said, but maintains a powerful stance regarding the situation. The “we” and “us” she mentions in her quote refers to Asian American actors who came before her. As such, Liu’s quote also speaks to the challenging path this group has had to achieve fame in Hollywood.
Our Take On The Charlie’s Angels Set Drama
Liu Took A Risk By Speaking Up
Given the time thatCharlie’s Angel’swas released, it was particularly bold of Liu to stand up for herself against Murray. Murray was an established actor, whileLiu was a rising star. It was also a much harder time for women on set, and an especially challenging period for women of color, who were (and still are) vastly underrepresented on screen. For Liu to not only speak up, but mention this incident years later, speaks to the importance of actors advocating for themselves and calling things out to pave an easier path for future actors who are being mistreated.
Charlie’s Angels
Cast
Charlie’s Angels, released in 2000, centers on a trio of skilled detectives, portrayed by Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore, and Lucy Liu, who utilize their expertise in disguise, espionage, and martial arts to prevent a nefarious plot threatening individual privacy, aided by their dependable ally Bosley, played by Bill Murray.
