Bill Murray Talks About His Badger Role In Wes Anderson's 'The Fantastic Mr. Fox'

A slow day and a little something we missed. Bill Murray talks a little bit about Wes Anderson’s next film, the animated adaption of “The Fantastic Mr. Fox” which hopefully is still on schedule to appear sometime in 2009 (it’s apparently set for a November 6, 2009 release). Did everyone realize the 10th anniversary of “Rushmore” is later this year? The film premiered at the New York Film Festival on October 9, 1998 and it its NY/L.A. limited release began December 11 (the de facto official anniversary date we guess).

While doing press for “City of Ember” Murray talked to Coming Soon, about ‘Fantastic Fox.’ Murray say he’ll be voicing the character of Badger the Miner. We should probably read the script to this one soon, we’ve had it for ages.

“Unfortunately, my badger… I worked really, really hard on a Wisconsin accent, ’cause I thought that would be an appropriate badger voice. And for the first couple scenes I did this Wisconsin badger voice that I thought was so funny. I did the first couple scenes and then Wes goes, “Nah, I don’t think so. I would think it’s kind of a Savile Row badger.” Who here has seen a badger walkin’ down Savile Row? Anybody? (Laughter) Yeah. That’s what I said. But these are these new directors. You know, you just gotta give ’em their… you know, let ’em hang themselves. I’ve seen some pictures of it. I think it’s old-fashioned ’cause it’s taking ’em a very long time to get it done, but they’re very excited.”

Let’s not forget that Jarvis Cocker from Pulp wrote a few songs for ‘Fox‘ too and George Clooney, Cate Blanchett, Jason Schwartzman, Anjelica Huston and evidently Meryl Streep all are voicing parts of the film. Wes might be done with original ideas for the time being, but we’re still looking forward to his first animated foray.