One film Aykroyd desperately wants to make is Ghostbusters 3. He’s been trying to get the gang back together since 1999, when he wrote a first draft of the script. A more recent version, by the writers of the US Office but overseen by Aykroyd, has received a favourable response from the studio, Columbia, and all the original cast bar one: Bill Murray. His cantankerous friend’s refusal to have anything to do with the sequel – which is designed to pass the overalls and backpacks to a new generation of buster – has long been a source of frustration to Aykroyd. Proposed release dates have been and gone, with Murray intermittently popping up to dismiss talk of a new film as “a bunch of crock”, or “a horrible rumour”. Late last year it was even reported that Murray sent a script back to Aykroyd shredded, and with a note reading “No one wants to pay money to see fat, old men chasing ghosts”. Aykroyd vehemently denied this, but he does admit defeat on the Murray situation.
Will the film ever materialise?
“I honestly don’t know. At this point it’s in suspended animation. The studio, the director Ivan Reitman and Harold Ramis feel there must be a way to do it, but Bill Murray will not do the movie. He doesn’t want to be involved. He’s got six kids, houses all over America. He golfs in these tournaments where they pay him to turn up and have a laugh. He’s into this life and living it. I know we’d have a lot of fun [but] I can’t be mad at him. He’s a friend first, a colleague second. We have a deep personal relationship that transcends business and he doesn’t want to know.”
He’s recently begun to consider recasting Murray’s role with another actor. Or perhaps, I suggest, his character could come back as a ghost in CGI so the actor doesn’t need to give up the golfing? It’s obviously something that has crossed Aykroyd’s mind, but he wonders if Murray would give his approval even to that.
“We’re not going to do a movie that exploits the franchise. The script has to be perfect. I’m the cheerleader, but I’m only one voice in the matter. **It’s a surety that Bill Murray will not do the movie, however there is still interest from the studio.” **Aykroyd looks pained. It only seems fair to return to a subject that brings him nothing but joy: alcohol.
It’s sad to see this guy - the originator of the franchise so passionately want to make another film for so long and to have it finally seem to be squandered. I feel for him. I bet the hundreds of fans he encounters on a regular basis dressed up in gear doesn’t help him move on from Ghostbusters either. Many of us may be taking a sigh of relief that a potentially wayward sequel has been postponed again, but you gotta feel for the guy who has been so desperately wanting to do another entry for so long now. I find it sad to say the least just because it’s his dream and passion we’re talking about. Putting aside any selfish notions on our part on how we feel about the movie, this is something Dan has been fond of making for years.
His persistence really does come off that the sequel is something on a deep level for him. We may never completely know if the film is something for fans to clamor for, or if it’s something fans should fear, but one thing is certain: Again Dan Aykroyd is faced with another nail in the coffin for this movie.
If there’s one thing he deserves, Dan deserves a medal for his passion to his work, and for his affection for his fans.
what I have noticed in this interview is one thing: Sony/Columbia previously stated that they’ll not do the movie without Murray…but now that Bill is out they are still interested in making it.
Someone here mentioned the idea of a Peter’s brother taking his part in the Gb Team…that’s not a bad idea. Jim Belushi quite resemble Murray. The old team is training the new team, with Oscar. then Peter’s brother show up to bring Oscar back home and is recruited himself.
I still think that Dan should regroup and do a new animated series. Dan, Harold and Ernie could all lend their voices, Hell Bill might be more inclined to participate if all he had to do was sit on his couch and record lines. Anyone up for a petition to get Dan to turn his focus from a 3rd theatrical film to an animated series? Seriously. You get Dapper Dan for art direction and you get the comic guys and Dan and Harold penning scripts, you could easily continue the GB lore. I feel bad for Dan. It really seems like he has more stories to tell.
Yes, regroup, Dan. Take all of this passion and get out there and champion some other GB projects. How about a sequel to the videogame, or a RGB videogame? Fans have mixed reactions to a third movie, but almost no one would object to another well-made game.
I think if any one of the characters were to cash out early and retire it would have been Venkman. Writeing the character out not only would be better then a recast (in my opinion anyways) it would be easier
Sent from my MB860 using Ghostbusters Fans on Android
If true, yeah, stick a fork it in, it’s probably done.
The usual source of doubt is that it’s Aykroyd, and he has diarrhea of the mouth when it comes to GB3. If an official Sony spokesman or PR flack says “Yeah, Murray has officially declined participation” then believe it. Until then it may just be Aykroyd’s frustration talking.
So basically it’s 1999 all over again. There’s a script, the other cast and crew members have shown interest in doing it, but Bill Murray doesn’t want to do it so it won’t happen. Hopefully we can at least get another video game.
If Dan was smart he’d make a CGI movie starring the original guys set in the 90’s and just have to get Bill to do voice work. Has that really not crossed his mind or what?
I still would like to see a third movie in some way. I want them to just move on from Murray ( no re-cast ) Venkman retired married Dana and moved to Florida ( what all New Yorkers do). Plain and simple.
If that doesnt happen, then yes I want to see a CGI movie being GB3. That would be just fine with me. All they would have to do is re-cast the voice of venkman ( because I just dont think Bill wants anything to do with it in any way) If they couldnt get away with that because of rights, then introduce a new character.
And if those cant be done then I want to see a animated series with The ongoing comic team at the helm.
but looks like it gonna fade away again, nice little re-birth with the 25th anniversary.
Well, I don’t know if this the final answer, but I wouldn’t want to see a third film without Bill Murray. I know many people feel the same way. I had given up hope for a third story back in 1999. But then 10 years later the video game came out and blew me away. I couldn’t believe how awesome it was. Who knows, maybe one of these scripts will turn into another video game reunite the cast once again and maybe the Ghostbusters 3 iron will be hot again. I believe anything is possible at this point. I’m just going to throw my hands up and say "Hey what ever happens, Happens. After all the studio did not want to move forward without Murray for a long time, and they still want to move forward, why would that change? Well I guess we’ll just see what comes up.
Having final confirmation that Bill Murray will have no involvement in GB3 is probably the best thing that any fan hopeful of this movie being made could ask for.
here me out.
Sony does not care about Bill Murray. Sony cares about MONEY. If they think that Ghostbusters is a viable franchise that can rake in serious cash, than the movie will eventually get paid. It is that simple. Now I am sure that they would prefer Murray’s involvement, who wouldn’t? But let’s be honest. Ghostbusters was a very popular franchise twenty plus years ago, and the mid-twenties to early thirties generation have carried on the love thus far. There is no way that Sony wants to make this movie as a one shot deal. I think that is what Bill is really afraid of. I think Ghostbusters is a very important film in Murray’s eyes, and even he said himself that he thinks the first 45 minutes of the movie are as about as funny as funny can be. The thought of getting the old gang back together for a good time is not what is keeping Bill from making the movie. It’s the studio, and the greed, and the fact that Bill does what Bill wants, and no one can convince him otherwise.
Kind of reminds me of Axl Rose a little. He has said that getting the original GnR back together would be a lot more feasible, if there wasn’t a greedy promoter or manager trying to make a huge commission off the inevitable reunion tour.
Having said that, if Akykroyd says the studio is still interested, than that right there should tell you that the movie will eventually get made. And without waiting around for Murray, probably a lot faster. Bill Murray is my favorite actor, and Peter Venkman is my favorite Ghostbuster, but I really want to see this thing get done with or without Bill. I am a fan of the franchise and I am a fan of Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis. I think they could do something that really works with a younger case. Maybe it won’t be magical, but I bet it will be entertaining as hell.
This has been said ad nauseum, but some of you may not be aware:
Control of the Ghostbusters movie property is shared by Murray, Akyroyd, Ramis, Reitman, and the studio.
This is a unique situation, as most times movie rights are sold to the studio and that’s that. They can ■■■■ it any way they like.
For Ghostbusters, they all must sign off or nothing happens-- so even if they write out Venkman-- they still can’t make the movie without Bill Murray’s go ahead.
It seems like there just isn’t something right about all this. If Bill Murray really is out of the picture for good, then I guess the last few years have just been a ■■■■■■■■■■ tease, with him voice acting in the GB video game, wearing a proton pack at the Spike awards, doing the Zombieland cameo, etc. It seriously felt like a grand prelude to a big announcement - like he was getting us pumped up for a GB3gasm. Who knows, maybe this is just a continuation of some brilliantly orchestrated drama.
But assuming that Dan Aykroyd’s latest gossip is accurate, and assuming that Bill isn’t just being his fickle self, having made a deliberate decision on the matter – well, I think our only hope is for Dan to do something drastic. Whatever it takes, he’s got to win back Bill Murray’s heart…
I think Dan has the right idea about doing another live action movie. There are way too many CGI movies out there now. I also do think Dan would be happy taking all his passion and putting it into a game or animated series. That’s just not the same as making a movie. I don’t know, but when I read all the stories, and comments from Dan, I kinda wonder if he would not do the movie the old fashioned way. with real props and models. I think that’s what he likes. Little CGI as possible. I may be wrong, but is just want I see in him. I think that would be great and could still make a great movie.
we already had a GB movie without Murray…it was Ghostbusters II.
They can do a GB3 movie if they focus on the new team. We already know were the Gb started and how they kept their franchise alive (the game and the comics are doing a nice job in telling us what the Gb did in the 90’s). Now a third movie should briefly tell us how and where they are now, then introduce a supernatural event that lead the old GBs minus Peter searching a new team. In the rest of the movie we learn who are these new Gbs.
