Thescreescore – The upcoming comedy Good Fortune, starring Keanu Reeves, Seth Rogen, and Aziz Ansari, almost mirrored the plot of a little-known ’90s film, Mr. Destiny. According to a recent interview, Ansari, who wrote and directed Good Fortune, initially conceived a story strikingly similar to the James Belushi-led film, despite never having seen it.
Rogen revealed in a GQ interview with Reeves that Ansari’s original pitch, dating back years, centered on the idea of contrasting lives and a guiding figure, much like Mr. Destiny. In that 1990 film, Belushi plays a man granted a glimpse into an alternate reality where his life took a different turn. This concept of exploring "what if" scenarios resonated with the core of Mr. Destiny, which also starred Courtney Cox.
While Good Fortune evolved significantly during its development, the initial spark bore a remarkable resemblance to the ’90s comedy. Ansari explained that the original concept revolved around a character, not necessarily an angel, intervening in the lives of two men with vastly different experiences. Rogen was quick to point out the similarity to Mr. Destiny, prompting Ansari to realize the unintentional parallel.
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The new film, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, follows Reeves as the angel Gabriel, who interferes in the lives of a struggling worker and a successful venture capitalist. Ansari also revealed that Reeves’ casting as Gabriel significantly shaped the film’s comedic tone, drawing inspiration from Wings of Desire to portray the angel’s innocence and unfamiliarity with human experiences. This departure from the original Mr. Destiny-esque plot suggests that Good Fortune, while born from a similar premise, has carved its own unique path.
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