Wes Anderson and Bill Murray Hint at Long-Awaited Western at Paris’ Cinema Paradiso

During a surprise on-stage reunion at the open-air Cinema Paradiso festival in the Louvre’s Cour Carrée (July 1-4, 2026), director Wes Anderson and actor Bill Murray revealed that they have been discussing a Western film for years. Murray, appearing beside Anderson while the latter presented *The Grand Budapest Hotel*, joked about Anderson’s on-set demeanor and declared his desire to star in a cowboy movie. Anderson confirmed the idea and suggested that Owen and Luke Wilson, both Texas natives, could join the project.

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Cinema Paradiso, organized by independent-film company MK2, blends film screenings with live music and gastronomy. Co-CEO Elisha Karmitz describes it as “more like a music festival where films are being screened than a traditional film festival.” The event is free, with tickets allocated by lottery after receiving roughly 200,000 requests annually. About 3,000 spectators sit on deck-chairs each night. Production costs total approximately €2 million and are covered entirely by sponsors, chief among them Japanese cinema entrepreneur Mr. Kinoshita, with additional support from Chanel and Peugeot.

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• Wes Anderson – Director of ten prior collaborations with Murray, including *Rushmore* and *The Grand Budapest Hotel*.

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• Bill Murray – Actor who has appeared in ten Anderson films; recently replaced by Steve Carell in *Asteroid City* after a COVID-related withdrawal.

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• Owen Wilson & Luke Wilson – Potential co-stars, both from Texas, mentioned by Anderson.

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• Elisha Karmitz – Co-CEO of MK2, spokesperson for the festival’s mission.

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• Mr. Kinoshita – Primary sponsor whose backing is described as essential for the event’s existence.

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Anderson reiterated that a Western has long been in conversation, noting the Wilson brothers’ Texan roots as a natural fit. Murray emphasized his personal enthusiasm for a cowboy story, framing it as a tribute to Anderson’s heritage. Karmitz highlighted the festival’s aim to create shared cinematic experiences and stressed that its passion-driven model relies on community support and sponsor contributions.

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The source material does not present any dissenting opinions or criticism regarding the announced Western or the festival’s format.

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No details were provided about the Western’s production schedule, budget, or definitive casting beyond the Wilson brothers. Information on script development, filming locations, or distribution plans remains undisclosed.

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• “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.” — Bill Murray, Actor

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• “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,” — Bill Murray, Actor

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• “We will do a Western, you know. I think,” — Wes Anderson, Filmmaker

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• “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.” — Wes Anderson, Filmmaker

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• “It feels more like a music festival where films are being screened than a traditional film festival,” — Elisha Karmitz, Co-CEO of MK2

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• “Cinema, and creating events around cinema, is our passion,” — Elisha Karmitz, Co-CEO of MK2

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Both Anderson and Murray indicated that the Western remains in the planning stage, with no official production timeline announced. Future updates are expected to emerge as the collaborators move from discussion to development.

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