When Garfield: The Movie was released in 2004, it achieved commercial success but received strong criticism from reviewers. Chris Kaltenbach of The Baltimore Sun remarked that the humor in the original comic strip had faded years earlier, writing,
Garfield the comic strip stopped being funny about 10 years ago. Garfield: The Movie makes it to about the 10-minute mark before tedium sets in.
Similarly, Ann Hornaday of The Washington Post described the film as bland, workmanlike and instantly forgettable.
Bill Murray Expresses Regret Over His Garfield Role
By 2009, Bill Murray, who lent his voice to Garfield, appeared to share some of the negative sentiments surrounding the movie. During a cameo as himself in Zombieland, a character asked if Murray had any regrets, to which he responded, Garfield, maybe.
Misunderstanding About the Film’s Screenwriter Influenced Murray’s Decision
In a 2010 interview with GQ, Murray shed light on why he chose to voice Garfield, suggesting that financial gain was not the sole factor. He explained,
Well, not completely. I thought it would be kind of fun, because doing a voice is challenging, and I’d never done that. Plus, I looked at the script, and it said, ‘So-and-so and Joel Coen.’ And I thought, ‘Christ, well I love those Coens! They’re funny.’
Murray had mistaken Joel Cohen, one of the film’s writers, for Joel Coen of the Coen brothers, known for acclaimed films like Fargo and The Big Lebowski.
During his voice recording sessions, Murray became increasingly concerned about the script quality. He stated,
the lines got worse and worse. And I said, ‘Okay, you better show me the whole rest of the movie, so we can see what we’re dealing with.’ So I sat down and watched the whole thing, and I kept saying, ‘Who the hell cut this thing? Who did this? What the f–k was Coen thinking?’ And then they explained it to me: It wasn’t written by that Joel Coen.
Co-Writer Alec Sokolow Challenges Murray’s Account
In 2014, during a Reddit AMA, Murray repeated the story about his confusion regarding the writer’s identity. However, Alec Sokolow, who co-wrote both Garfield films, responded directly under Murray’s post to dispute the claim. Sokolow remarked,
As one of the ‘guilty’ writing entities to both Garfield movies, I must tell you this answer, much like Bill’s ADR seems to be made up as the words leave his mouth. He knew it was not Joel Coen well before he met Joel Cohen. It’s a funny take. And it kind of defends him against the criticism of making such an overtly commercial film. But, it’s complete horse s–t. I loved his Zombieland line as well. But, if it’s his biggest regret, why did he do it twice?
Sokolow’s pointed comment referred to Murray’s involvement in the 2006 sequel, Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties, which Cohen and Sokolow also co-wrote. Murray never publicly responded to this Reddit remark, but Sokolow concluded with an open invitation:
Happy to sign my name as I would be to meet Mr. Murray anywhere to continue the conversation.
The Lasting Impact of Murray’s Garfield Experience
Bill Murray’s choice to voice Garfield, influenced by a case of mistaken identity about the film’s writers, ultimately led to his dissatisfaction with the project. The films’ critical reception and Murray’s own mixed feelings continue to fuel discussions about celebrity involvement in commercial animated films. Despite the backlash, Murray’s voice work remains a memorable aspect of the Garfield movies, while his candid reflections reveal the challenges actors face when unexpected factors influence their roles. This story highlights how initial assumptions can shape creative choices, sometimes resulting in regret and public debate.
