Naomi Watts and Bill Murray came as something of a package deal in their new movie the two real life friends play on screen Pals and the friend which recently screened at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival Watts 55 jokes to people that The Producers cast her as a way to get to Murray they mentioned his name and at first I was like oh God that's why they called me because they want to get to Bill Watts says because people know that I know him and we've worked together but when they said that it just was an aha moment and I couldn't see it any other way I was determined so I made the call she adds well I texted him first and I wasn't even sure if he'd reply sometimes people like that change their phone numbers frequently Watson Murray first work together on the 2014 movie Street Vincent and have been friends since it means the world it's very lovely and we do have a very special friendship she adds of Murray answering her call to Star alongside her in the drama based on author cigaret nunes's 2018 novel of the same name and I love that this story centers around friendships because not many stories do if it's a relationship movie it's often romance or family Dynamics Watts tells people and friendship is something that's a very powerful thing as you get older it becomes more and more meaningful so yeah it makes sense I have that kind of Friendship with Bill too aside from Watson Murray the new movie from filmmakers Scott McGee and David seagull also Stars Sarah pigeon Carla Gino constant Wu Nova dumes wenny an Dow Felix siss Owen T and Bing the great danne in the friend Watts plays a woman named Iris who assumes responsibility for many of her late friend Walters Murray possessions after his sudden death including his dog the movie made its World premiere at the 2024 tellurite Film Festival