Aziz Ansari’s ‘Good Fortune’ Faces Setbacks, Finally Premieres

Aziz Ansari’s film Good Fortune has finally premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival after enduring multiple setbacks, including the unexpected injury of star Keanu Reeves. The movie marks Ansari’s directorial debut following his previous project, Being Mortal, which was halted in 2022 amid allegations against lead actor Bill Murray for misconduct on set.

Production of Good Fortune faced additional delays due to the Hollywood strikes, and just as filming resumed, Reeves suffered a knee injury while returning to his dressing room. “He had some bad fortune on set. He broke his kneecap,” Ansari revealed during an interview. “We had the same stunt people that worked with him on John Wick. They were like, ‘No, he never got hurt.’ Not until my movie.” Despite the injury, Reeves managed to complete most of his scenes, postponing the more physically demanding sequences until after he healed.

Ansari’s Journey Back to the Spotlight

This project is seen as Ansari’s Hollywood comeback after his last on-screen appearance in the final season of Master of None in 2021. He humorously dismissed the notion of a comeback, citing the myriad challenges faced during production. “Every movie is a miracle,” he said, reflecting on the hurdles encountered in bringing Good Fortune to life.

The film, set for release on October 13, 2025, features Reeves as a guardian angel who swaps the lives of a struggling food delivery driver—played by Ansari—and a privileged tech billionaire, portrayed by Seth Rogen. The story serves as both a comedy and a satire of the gig economy, exploring the theme that the grass is not always greener on the other side.

Ansari’s return to filmmaking comes in the wake of a sexual misconduct allegation in 2018, which he addressed in his 2019 stand-up special, Aziz Ansari: Right Now. When asked about the incident during the festival, he shifted focus back to the film, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to showcase Good Fortune and the experience of collaborating with the cast.

Collaborative Spirit and Future Aspirations

Production of Good Fortune brought together an impressive ensemble, including Sandra Oh, who plays an angel boss. Ansari noted that he was unaware of their shared Canadian heritage until later. “I’ve got the Canadian trifecta between Sandra, Keanu, and Seth Rogen. They’re very nice people,” he said.

Looking to the future, Ansari expressed a desire to continue developing projects that resonate with audiences. “I’d been doing some stuff that was a little heavier and I wanted to do a comedy,” he explained. He drew inspiration from classic films that tackled themes of class and wealth inequality, aiming to update them for modern viewers.

As for his next endeavor, Ansari jokingly mentioned that he would like to include Canadian artists in his future projects, quipping about the possibility of collaborating with musicians like Drake and The Weeknd.

With Good Fortune finally making its debut, Ansari hopes that the film’s reception will make it easier for him to revisit other projects that have been sidelined. As he embarks on this next chapter, the filmmaker remains optimistic about the path ahead.