Aziz Ansari on Writing for ‘Iconic’ Keanu Reeves, the Prospect of a ‘Parks & Rec’ Spinoff and Wanting to Complete His Bill Murray Film ‘Being Mortal’: ‘I Think There’s a World Where I Could Finish’

Aziz Ansari is making his directorial debut with the existential comedy “Good Fortune.” But technically, it’s not his first time helming a feature. In 2022, he was halfway through directing the Bill Murray-led comedy “Being Mortal” when Searchlight pulled the plug over Murray’s “inappropriate behavior.” Ansari hopes that someday he can finish what he started.

“I think there’s a world where I could finish ‘Being Mortal,'” he said during an interview at the Variety Toronto Film Festival Studio. “I’d love to.”

But there’s plenty for the “Parks & Recreation” star to celebrate in the meantime. “Good Fortune” made heavenly debut its world premiere at TIFF on Sept. 6. Ansari admitted that the film carries pieces of himself. “Me and Seth always joke that we’re much closer to Jeff than we are to our other characters. That Jeff stuff is sometimes maybe a little making fun of ourselves. Even making the movie sometimes, you know, it’s like, oh God, why can’t this just work out? But you push through. Everybody’s had those moments where you feel like you want to give up. The movie’s about that moment for this guy.”

Much of the writing happened after he deliberately unplugged from the digital noise. “I’ve never written more and felt more productive in my life than since I pushed aside smartphone use and internet use,” he said. “But that’s just me. I know that’s not something everybody can do.”

When it came to casting, Ansari considered stepping aside. “There’s always a little part of me that’s like, ‘Why don’t I just call Riz Ahmed and get him to do it?’ But the big advantage of writing for myself is I always agree to do my projects and I don’t drop out. I’m very easy to work with. I do whatever I need myself to do.”

Writing for co-stars Seth Rogen and Keanu Reeves proved just as natural. “With Seth, I know his voice so well I can really write to him. And Keanu, his voice is so iconic. Even though I didn’t know him, I was able to get it pretty close. Once I got to know him and we got to collaborate, I really could dial it up. It was a blast.”

Ansari’s big TIFF moment arrives at a time when “The Office” is getting a spinoff. As for “Parks & Recreation” getting the same treatment centered on Tom Haverford, Ansari said he’s not even sure the lovable character is still around in 2025.

“Hopefully, he’s okay and hasn’t lost everything in some ill-faded crypto investments,” he joked.

Ansari called the shelving of “Being Mortal” a “disappointing thing,” but it opened up a new destiny with “Good Fortune.”

“I didn’t dwell in that collapse,” he said. “I had a moment where I kind of was like, ‘OK, this is what’s happened.’ And I was very grateful I’d been working on ‘Good Fortune’ and had it in my pocket, a rough version of it.”

Asked whether the film shifted his own philosophy on fate, Ansari paused and added: “I think you just have to try. Even when things are hard, you keep pushing. That’s part of the journey. It’s all a ride.”