Get ready, Marvel fans and pop culture enthusiasts, because we’ve got a story that’s going to make you say, “Wait, *what*?!” We’re talking about a celebrity interaction so delightfully unexpected, so charmingly random, that it sounds straight out of a Hollywood script. It involves none other than the legendary Bill Murray, the amazing new Ant-Man star Kathryn Newton, and, believe it or not, a game of golf!
Seriously, you can’t make this stuff up. Kathryn Newton, who absolutely crushed it as Cassie Lang in the recently released “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania,” spilled the tea on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” revealing the utterly unique way Bill Murray decided to jump into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
So, picture this: Newton and Murray, both avid golfers, had just played a round together on TV at the iconic Pebble Beach golf course in sunny California. Sounds like a dream day, right? But the real magic happened a couple of months later, and it’s a story that’s just too good not to share.
Newton vividly recalled the moment, her mom being the unexpected gatekeeper of this Hollywood bombshell. “A couple of months later, my mom’s like, ‘Kathryn, I have Bill Murray for you.’ I’m like, ‘what? Bill Murray?’ She’s like, ‘Yeah, um here,’” Newton shared, detailing the surreal phone call.
And then, the moment of truth! On the other end of the line, the one and only Bill Murray dropped the ultimate question. “And he’s like, ‘Kathryn, I’ve been thinking… I think I want to join the Marvel Universe, and I was just going to ask you if it was okay if I joined “Ant-Man.” Can you even imagine that call?
Newton, being the cool and collected star she is, took it all in stride. She told him, “Yeah, Bill, that’s cool, that’s cool with me. Maybe there’s someone else to talk to?” Because, let’s be real, even Bill Murray probably needs to run it by Kevin Feige first, right? But what an incredible sign of respect and camaraderie between these two talents!
Newton, with a knowing wink, speculated that Murray probably already had an offer on the table. Her theory? He was truly just calling to see if they were “going to play golf together?” It seems like Bill Murray was just looking for a golf buddy in the MCU, and who better than the incredible Kathryn Newton?
Speaking of golf buddies, it turns out that their “Ant-Man” co-star Michael Douglas is also a big fan of the game! However, despite a few golfers being in the cast, they sadly didn’t get to hit the greens together while filming. The reason? London weather, of course! “London, you know, it was rainy,” Newton explained.
Plus, as Newton pointed out, “Marvel movies are very intense.” This meant a tough production schedule that didn’t leave much time for leisurely golf rounds. So, no on-set golf tournaments for the “Ant-Man” cast this time around, much to our disappointment! But hey, at least we got this epic origin story!
This isn’t just a fun anecdote; it’s a testament to Kathryn Newton’s rising star power. She’s quickly becoming one of the most popular actresses of her generation, and it’s easy to see why. Before stepping into the massive shoes of Cassie Lang, she’d already charmed audiences as Lucy Stevens in “Detective Pikachu.”
She then went on to showcase her incredible versatility in hit films like “Freaky” and “The Map of Tiny Perfect Things.” Plus, she’s graced our TV screens in acclaimed shows such as HBO’s “Big Little Lies” and Netflix’s “The Society.” Talk about a resume!
Taking over the role of Cassie Lang from Emma Fuhrmann, who played the character in “Avengers: Endgame,” was a huge deal for Newton. It was her first major role in a sprawling franchise like the MCU, and she was, understandably, ecstatic to be playing such a popular Marvel character.
Bill Murray’s arrival in the MCU, as the governor Lord Kylar in the Quantum Realm, was certainly a surprising treat for audiences. His character even has a history with Janet Van Dyne, played by the iconic Michelle Pfeiffer. So, not only did we get Murray, but he’s integrated in a super cool way!
But the real kicker, as Newton’s story reveals, is that it seems Murray specifically sought out her “permission” to join the film. This isn’t just a friendly chat; it highlights the mutual respect between the seasoned legend and the blossoming talent. It’s almost like he was vetting her for golf-related reasons!
As the story goes, Murray has a deep, deep love for golf, taking it quite seriously even decades after his hilarious performance in the 1980 golf-centric comedy “Caddyshack.” It makes perfect sense that his relationship on the fairway with Newton might have sparked his interest in joining a blockbuster franchise she was already part of.
It’s just incredibly cool to think that Bill Murray, 47 years Newton’s senior, would reach out to a young actress like her and genuinely ask for her thoughts on him hopping aboard the MCU train. It truly shows the kind of respect and connection they forged over their shared love for golf.
And let’s be honest, fans have been dreaming of seeing Bill Murray in the Marvel Cinematic Universe for ages! He’s even teased his own interest in the super-powered world before. Now, it seems we have Kathryn Newton, the golfing prodigy, to thank for finally making that dream a reality for so many.
“Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” arrived in theaters on February 17, giving us our first look at Bill Murray’s character and Newton’s expanded role. The film sees Paul Rudd’s titular hero, Ant-Man, facing off against Kang the Conqueror, played by Jonathan Majors, in the mind-bending Quantum Realm. This confrontation is presumably setting the stage for Kang to become the new big bad of the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe. Talk about high stakes!
Newton’s excitement about joining the MCU is palpable. Even before filming, she was on cloud nine. “I still feel like I can’t talk about it because I’m not on set and I just don’t want to jinx anything until I’m really there, making the movie,” she shared, showing her genuine awe and respect for the franchise.
She continued, “But it’s a dream come true for me to be a part of the MCU, and I’m so honored and so grateful because I love the Marvel universe so much.” It’s clear this isn’t just another gig for her; it’s a lifelong aspiration fulfilled. She even joked about keeping her Marvel casting a secret from her own dad!
“Five years ago, if you asked me what my dream was, I would have said, ‘To be in a Marvel movie,’” Newton admitted. Her passion for the universe is undeniable, and it’s wonderful to see someone so genuinely thrilled to be part of something so massive and beloved.
Beyond her MCU debut, Newton has been incredibly busy. She reflected on her role as Margaret in “The Map of Tiny Perfect Things,” a charming time-loop movie. She even golfed with Bill Murray, whom she called “the time-loop movie king,” at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am!
She recounted how Kyle Allen, her co-star in “The Map of Tiny Perfect Things,” urged her to mention their movie to Murray. Newton initially resisted, not wanting “to be uncool.” But then, Jordan Spieth, one of golf’s most decorated players who was also with them, brought it up.
Spieth asked her what movie she had coming out, giving her the perfect opening. “Well, it’s kind of inspired by the greatest time-loop movie of all time with our Bill Murray right here,” she told him. Murray was reportedly “really excited and happy” for her, a truly heartwarming interaction.
Newton told Murray, “When you make a movie that great [Groundhog Day], Hollywood just wants to see it over and over again in a different way.” She loves how time-loop movies are always different, seeing them as a metaphor for the feeling of youth, where every day feels endless.
She even connected this to her own school experiences: “Whenever I would go to school and be bored out of mind, I would think, ‘This is awesome. This is what being young is about.’” It’s this unique perspective that makes her characters so relatable and real.
Reflecting on her amazing tee shot on Pebble’s 17th hole, Newton shared her love for golf: “My favorite thing about golf is that you have to let everything go and just focus on the next shot.” She hit her “best shot all day” for charity, feeling confident thanks to the support of her playing partners like Larry Fitzgerald and Macklemore.
Her birthday happened during that incredible week, adding to the magic. She mused that “The Map of Tiny Perfect Things” started filming on her birthday the previous year, giving it a “magical little feeling” that never really ended. Talk about a perfect loop!
She also reminisced about the beautiful, choreographed “Astaire walk” scene in “Tiny Perfect Things” with Kyle Allen. They rehearsed extensively, and it was one of her favorite scenes ever to shoot. She loved the “long takes” because they made her feel truly present in the moment.
Newton also enjoyed trashing a model home in “Tiny Perfect Things,” calling it “every kid’s dream.” However, she playfully asserted that eating an entire breakfast with her hands in “Freaky” will always be her favorite improv moment. “I really love food, and it’s hard to make anything better than that,” she chuckled.
On the topic of her dramatic role in “Lisa Frankenstein,” Newton admitted that the “striking and poetic” writing by Diablo Cody was initially daunting. Her character talks nonstop, a challenging aspect she had to deeply consider before committing. But she clearly rose to the occasion!
And what about that fan-favorite wish for a “Freaky Death Day” crossover? Newton is all for it! “Oh my gosh. Look, I cannot wait to do another movie with Blumhouse, Chris Landon, and the whole team. And Jessica Rothe kills it in Happy Death Day,” she enthused.
“Also, it’s a time-loop movie. So I think that we need to push The Map of Tiny Perfect Things into Freaky, get Jessica in there, and I would say that’s a sequel,” she added playfully. She’s definitely on board if the fans make enough noise!
Newton has been golfing and acting since a very young age, always staying true to herself. She even revealed she’s developing her own golf-related project! She started it during Covid, got it written, and it’s now “moving forward.” We can’t wait to see what she creates!
This delightful tale of Bill Murray seeking Kathryn Newton’s approval to join the MCU is more than just a fun tidbit; it’s a sweet reminder of the unexpected connections that can form in Hollywood. It highlights Newton’s genuine talent and star power, proving she’s not just an incredible actress, but also an amazing golf partner!
From the green to the Quantum Realm, Kathryn Newton is truly everywhere, making her mark one iconic role, and one unforgettable golf story, at a time. The future is incredibly bright for this rising star, and we’re here for every single thrilling moment of it!
