Bill Murray will appear alongside Dave Franco in The Now, a new comedy series set to stream on Quibi. While a lot of attention has been devoted to the launches of Disney+ and Apple TV+, understandably given their impressive catalogs of content, Quibi could prove itself to be an interesting competitor. Backed by media mogul Jeffery Katzenberg, Quibi is a service that will be tailored to millennials. Several big name studios - including The Walt Disney Company, WarnerMedia, and NBCUniversal - have invested in the platform.
The hook for Quibi, and why it believes it can stand out in an increasingly crowded streaming world, is that it will provide content in the form of quick bites to its audience. Unlike network television, where even a short sitcom can run for half an hour, or cable shows where episodes can run almost as long as movies, Quibi seeks to deliver its content in under 10 minutes. Another element that distinguishes Quibi is that it can only be accessed via mobile devices. Prominent stars and filmmakers like Justin Timberlake, Steven Spielberg, Zac Efron, and many others are involved with projects on the streamer. Bill Murray, known to many for his leading roles in Ghostbusters and Groundhog Day, is the latest high-profile celebrity to jump onboard.
According to Variety, Bill Murray has been tapped for a recurring part on The Now opposite Dave Franco. Hailing from Green Book writer and director Peter Farrelly, The Now focuses on Ed Poole (Franco), a man readying to take his own life. He finds out, at a critical moment, that his father committed suicide and so did his brother. Ed then realizes that the only thing that will make his life worth living is if he stops worrying about his past and future, simply living in the present.
Murray has reportedly already finished shooting his role, while production on the comedy series is still underway. Franco and Murray are part of a cast that includes Daryl Hannah, Alyssa Milano, Rob Yang, Jimmy Tatro, Lex Scott Davis, and O’Shea Jackson Jr.
From the premise of The Now, and the talent involved in front of the camera as well as behind the scenes, it seems like exactly the kind of series that would rack up a bevy of nominations during awards season if it aired in a traditional format. It remains to be seen, however, if the comedy will lean into its more dramatic elements. It will be interesting, as well, to see if Quibi’s distinctions shake up the way content is presented. If successful, others could conceivably emulate Quibi’s formula. The streaming service will launch on April 6, 2020.
Source: Variety