‘Good Fortune’ director, author, producer and actor Aziz Ansari.
Out there on premium digital November seventh earlier than releasing on Blu-ray, DVD, and an Amazon-Unique 4K UHD Combo Pack on December ninth from Lionsgate is the brand new comedy ‘Good Fortune’, which was written, directed and stars Aziz Ansari (‘Grasp of None’).
Launch Date: Oct 17, 2025
Run Time: 1 hr 38 min
Finances: $30,000,000
Along with Ansari, the film additionally stars Seth Rogen (‘The Studio’), Keke Palmer (‘The Pickup’), Sandra Oh (‘Sideways’), and Keanu Reeves (‘John Wick’).
Moviefone lately had the pleasure of talking with director, author, producer, and actor Aziz Ansari about his work on ‘Good Fortune’, growing the screenplay, the themes he needed to discover, directing himself and his pal Seth Rogen, casting Keanu Reeves, working together with his cinematographer and editor, the Blu-ray and DVD extras, and if he’ll direct once more.
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(L to R) Keanu Reeves and Aziz Ansari in ‘Good Fortune’. Picture: Lionsgate.
Moviefone: To start with, are you able to speak about having the concept for the movie, growing the screenplay and the themes that you just needed to discover as a director?
Aziz Ansari: Nicely, I spent plenty of time in L.A. To me, the concepts of this film are in your face while you’re right here in L.A., whether or not it is wealth disparity or no matter. The purpose with the film was to do a movie that explored these issues in a humorous manner. That was a problem in writing the screenplay. It was, how do you discuss concerning the stuff, but in addition make it entertaining and humorous?
MF: I do know you directed episodes of ‘Grasp of None’, however did you at all times plan on directing a film sometime and what are the challenges of directing your self in a movie?
AA: In Netflix’s ‘Grasp of None’, I directed, acted and wrote, and I beloved doing that. I beloved that course of and dealing that manner. I would at all times needed to take that and do that very same factor in a movie. ‘Good Fortune’ was my first shot at doing it, and it was related in ways in which I anticipated and difficult in ways in which I did not count on, however I discovered a lot and I am excited to attempt it once more.
Aziz Ansari in ‘Good Fortune’. Picture: Lionsgate.
MF: What had been a few of the surprising challenges and the way did you overcome them?
AA: I assume simply how totally different the modifying course of was. While you’re modifying a TV episode, it is half-hour. It is simply a lot extra contained and also you’re additionally working from a canvas that is ranging from a TV present, so issues have already been arrange and also you form of have a world. Whereas in a movie, you are setting every part up and it is a a lot totally different canvas in a number of methods.
MF: I do know you’ve been mates and colleagues with Seth Rogen for a very long time. What’s it like directing your pal in a film?
AA: You understand, it is not that totally different. I imply hopefully you change into pleasant with all people, and that is form of what you are doing on a regular basis. However we have recognized one another for a very long time, and he has plenty of belief in me and has at all times been actually variety together with his recommendation and every part. It was nice having him as a companion on this.
Seth Rogen in ‘Good Fortune’. Picture: Lionsgate.
MF: Was there a shorthand between the 2 of you on set, and since Seth is an achieved filmmaker in his personal proper, did he offer you any recommendation whereas making the film?
AA: I believe there’s, and he knew what I used to be attempting to do, and he knew how one can assist me and how one can be there for me. I imply, he was the primary individual I confirmed the script to, and the script modified over time, and we’d discuss concerning the ending and speak about, what does the film want? What’s nice is that he was in a position to collaborate not simply on his character, however he was fascinated about the film.
MF: Did you write the function of the angel Gabriel for Keanu Reeves, and did you’ve any thought he can be that humorous within the movie?
AA: I did not know who was going to play the angel, after which his title got here up, and I assumed, wow, that may be unbelievable if that is potential. We had a gathering and he learn the script, and he favored it, and he signed up and he was so beneficiant together with his time. We talked quite a bit concerning the character, labored on his scenes quite a bit, rehearsed quite a bit, and as soon as he signed up, I attempted to actually tailor the function to him and actually play to his power as an actor, particularly together with his comedy. He is so humorous enjoying a man that is very candy and harmless, however form of dumb and it simply felt excellent for this half. As quickly because the trailer dropped, individuals had been like, “Oh my God, that is probably the most excellent casting! Keanu is an angel.” I am so comfortable that he was the man and that all of it labored out.
Keanu Reeves in ‘Good Fortune’. Picture: Lionsgate.
MF: Did Keanu convey something surprising to the function?
AA: He is simply such an iconic display screen presence, and there is issues he introduced that you would be able to’t put in a script. He is simply such a beautiful actor and he is aware of his craft so effectively that he introduced issues to it that I do not know how one can verbalize, but it surely’s on display screen. I bear in mind after we did our first preview screening and when his face comes up on the large display screen, you are like, “There is a purpose this man’s been a film star for a lot of many years. He has one thing.”
MF: Are you able to speak about working along with your DP to decide on lenses and determine on the composition of pictures?
AA: Our DP was Adam Newport-Berra, who’s unbelievable. He received an Emmy for his work on ‘The Studio’ with Seth. He and I talked quite a bit about, simply how did we need to present LA? I talked to him quite a bit about exhibiting the LA that you just see in strip malls and simply this neon L.A. We talked quite a bit about ‘Paris, Texas’. If you happen to watch ‘Paris, Texas’, there’s plenty of inexperienced and it was how these fluorescent lights would react to movie again within the day. I assumed that look can be cool to have on this film, in order that was a reference level for us. I did not need plenty of flashy digital camera work. I needed it to be easy. I did not need to transfer the digital camera round an excessive amount of. I form of needed it to be easy. He was only a nice collaborator and companion, and one other man that additionally was at all times fascinated about the movie, not simply his job and his function as a DP. However he did a beautiful job, and I am unable to say sufficient about him.
(L to R) Aziz Ansari and Keanu Reeves in ‘Good Fortune’. Picture: Lionsgate.
MF: What was the post-production course of like for you? Did you get pleasure from working along with your editor to assemble the movie?
AA: Nicely, Daniel (Haworth) is a pal and he labored with me on ‘Grasp of None’ Season 2, and I used to be excited to collaborate with him on this. Look, while you’re modifying a film, you are locked in a little bit darkish room with this individual for a lot of weeks and it is an attention-grabbing relationship. However you begin with the primary minimize of the film, which might be two hours and alter and also you wash it down and then you definitely begin chipping away at it and you determine what is the story right here. You understand, what do we have to lose? How can we get to this quicker? It turns into plenty of downside fixing and he was an incredible companion to have, and we obtained it there.
MF: Was there something you needed to minimize that was heartbreaking for you?
AA: Nothing heartbreaking. It is similar to the writing course of. You lose issues as you evolve the venture and, within the edit, it evolves once more and sure issues go.
(L to R) Keanu Reeves, Seth Rogen and Aziz Ansari in ‘Good Fortune’. Picture: Lionsgate.
MF: The home featured within the movie is a tremendous location. How did you discover it and has it been use in some other films of TV reveals?
AA: I do not learn about some other movies or TV, however I believe it was in a Travis Scott video or one thing, and perhaps a Beyonce video? I am unable to bear in mind. However that was our location supervisor, Jay Coach. He discovered that place and we fought for it as a result of that location is so central to the movie, and it’s a character within the film. He discovered that for us and made it work.
MF: Are you able to discuss concerning the Blu-ray and DVD launch? Are there deleted scenes or a commentary to stay up for?
AA: I did a commentary observe. I believe there’s bloopers, and there is some behind the scenes docs. I like bodily media and I hope if individuals have a ‘Good Fortune’ Blu-ray on their shelf, that’d be superior.
(L to R) Keanu Reeves and Aziz Ansari in ‘Good Fortune’. Picture: Lionsgate.
MF: Lastly, do you intend on directing once more sooner or later?
AA: I’ve a pair different films I have been fascinated about, and I would like to make one other movie quickly. It was such an incredible expertise. I really feel like I discovered quite a bit and I would like to do it once more.
‘Good Fortune’ will probably be accessible on premium digital November seventh earlier than releasing on Blu-ray, DVD, and an Amazon-Unique 4K UHD Combo Pack on December ninth. Picture: Lionsgate.
What’s the plot of ‘Good Fortune’?
A well-meaning however somewhat inept angel named Gabriel (Keanu Reeves) meddles within the lives of a struggling gig employee (Aziz Ansari) and a rich capitalist (Seth Rogen).
Who’s within the forged of ‘Good Fortune’?
‘Good Fortune’ will probably be accessible on Blu-ray, DVD, and an Amazon-Unique 4K UHD Combo Pack on December ninth. Picture: Lionsgate.