TORONTO Keanu Reeves encountered an unfortunate injury while filming his latest project, “Good Fortune,” a setback in a series of challenges that director Aziz Ansari has faced. Notably, Ansari's first attempt at directing a feature film, “Being Mortal,” was abruptly halted in 2022 following allegations of misconduct against its star, Bill Murray. Subsequently, Ansari’s follow-up endeavor, “Good Fortune,” encountered delays during the Hollywood strikes.
As production for “Good Fortune” finally resumed, Reeves suffered an injury in a rather unremarkable manner, breaking his kneecap after an accidental fall while returning to his dressing room. Ansari humorously reflected on the situation during an interview at the Toronto International Film Festival, acknowledging, "He had some bad fortune on set." Despite the injury, Reeves pressed on and managed to film the majority of his scenes, postponing the more physically demanding shots until after his recovery. Ansari noted Reeves' dedication, stating, "The guy wants to shoot. He loves making movies."
The road to “Good Fortune” has been fraught with obstacles for Ansari, marking what some perceive as a Hollywood comeback for the director after a prolonged absence from the spotlight. His last prominent appearance was in 2021’s final season of Netflix's “Master of None.” Reflecting on his journey, Ansari remarked, "Every movie is a miracle," signaling his appreciation for finally bringing the film to fruition.
In “Good Fortune,” which premiered on October 13, 2025, Reeves portrays a bumbling guardian angel who orchestrates a body swap between Ansari’s character, a struggling food delivery driver, and a spoiled tech billionaire played by Seth Rogen. The film’s comedic premise aims to explore the notion that the grass might not always be greener on the other side, leading to a series of comedic errors that also serve as a satire on the gig economy.
Ansari's latest film is his most high-profile project since being embroiled in a sexual misconduct allegation in 2018. During a date with a woman who later claimed she felt "pressured" into sex, Ansari responded, asserting that he believed the encounter was consensual and expressed surprise at the woman’s later feelings. He addressed the incident in his 2019 standup special, “Aziz Ansari: Right Now.” When asked what he learned from that experience, Ansari chose to emphasize his excitement for “Good Fortune,” stating, "I’m just so happy to be here with the movie."
In response to the previous controversies surrounding his work, Ansari opted not to discuss the allegations against Murray during the filming of “Being Mortal,” which was shelved due to inappropriate behavior on set. However, he praised the material's source, a non-fiction book by Atul Gawande that discusses the complexities of aging and end-of-life challenges. He expressed hope that he might revisit the project in the future, pending the success of “Good Fortune.”
Seeking to strike a lighter tone with his latest venture, Ansari aimed to create a comedy resonant with themes of class and wealth inequality, reminiscent of classical films from the 1930s and 1940s like “Sullivan’s Travels” or “It’s a Wonderful Life.” As he assembled a Canadian cast, including Rogen and Sandra Oh—whom he originally did not realize shared a Canadian heritage—Ansari humorously referred to them as the "Canadian trifecta.”
Looking ahead, Ansari expressed aspirations for his next project, humorously mentioning his desire to collaborate with prominent Canadian musicians such as Drake and The Weeknd. This blend of humor and creative ambition reflects Ansari's intent to continue evolving in his career, even in the face of previous adversities.
