Dear Dan Aykroyd: For the the love of God, let it go.
Developing over the the past couple of years, it seems Dan Aykroyd is hellbent on making "Ghostbusters 3" even if no one else really wants to see this thing. (Really, do you?) The project has been puttering along with countless casting rumors (John Hodgman, Matthew Gray Gubler, Bill Hader, Anna Faris, Will Forte) most of them nothing more than dreamy fancies in Aykroyd's brain. But just over a year ago, it was reported that Sony wasn't even going to bother making the thing, unless the notoriously awesome and cagey Bill Murray confirmed he would reprise his role. Well, he gave his answer in December when rumors flew that he sent the script back to Aykroyd in a box, shredded, with a note that read: "No one wants to pay money to see fat, old men chasing ghosts!"
Well Empire caught up with Aykroyd who is still stubbornly solidering on. He revealed to the magazine that he might just go ahead and re-cast the role of Peter Venkman, the worst possible idea we've ever heard of, and then goes on to deny that Murray dared to trash the script, saying that the actor just has too much respect for Akyroyd's literary skills.
"Bill Murray is not capable of such behaviour. This is simply something that would not be in his nature," Aykroyd insisted. "We have a deep, private personal relationship that transcends business. We communicate frequently and his position on the involvement in 'Ghostbusters 3' has been made clear and I respect that. But Bill has too much positive estimation of my writing skills to shred the work." But wait, that's not all. Aykroyd also claims they'll be pulling the Rick Moranis out of retirement as well.
"If we can get the script to 'Ghostbusters 3 right,' then it would definitely have Moranis as a major component. None of us would want to do the movie without having him as a participant," he said. This runs completely counter to what Harold Ramis told Student Life in 2009: "Rick won’t do it. Rich has retired from show business." Maybe they twisted his arm, or his paper shredder is broken.
Either way, "Ghostbusters 3" continues to be…a thing…but we're not holding our breath it's gonna happen, and if it does, good luck to whoever tries to fill Bill Murray's shoes.
Perhaps Bill is right?!
He didn't say GB3 was a bad idea, only that reprising their ancient roles was. I have to agree. You can't remake the original (thought he accountant executives in Hollywood would love to try), but you can put together a "new-generation" piece with some of the great talents currently out there. All GB essentially was, were a group of SC and SNL alumni getting together to ad lib a fresh idea with a comedy director with enough sense to know when he was getting good shit and when he wasn't.
You get guys like Seth Green, Mike Myers, Robin Williams and the like who can riff on a scripted scene and you'll find gold. The tricky part is hiring a director with Ivan Reitman's sensibilities to pull it together into a brilliant cinematic comedy. Ackroyd could certainly use a fresh perspective to work with and an accomplished co-writer couldn't hurt the project.
Let me get this straight. Rick Moranis is a "major component" and they can't imagine doing the movie without him, but the part of Peter Venkman can be recast no problem?
Lay off the Crystal Head vodka, Aykroyd.
i would love a 'ghostbusters 3' with a willing and collaborative bill murray. but that is not happening. so fuck it.
Hell yes I want to see Ghostbusters 3 and I want it to be great. Unfortunately the chances of it being good are rather slim.
Recasting Venkman is a ridiculous idea. If the must make a third without Murray, then just write Venkman out of the story, simple as that. This ain't Shakespeare. It is a hokey comedy based on a comic book. To me, it's not worth the ire to hate on Ghostbusters 3 so vehemently. It is what it is.
Why not get Eddie Murphy as a new Ghostbuster? Aykroyd wanted him for the original, but he declined to star in his own movie (Beverly Hills Cop) instead of doing an ensemble. Jon Hamm and Woody Harrelson would be great too. Just because they cast a new crop of Ghostbusters doesn't mean they all have to be 23-year-old Michael Cera types.
They should make the movie where the crew are training up new Ghostbusters. I'd cast Danny McBride, Bill Hader, Jonah Hill and Seth Rogan. Also have Seth Gordon Green polish the script a little. As much as I love the original movie, they need to tailor it for this new generation.
I feel like I'm the only person who wants to see this movie happen.
"If we can get the script to 'Ghostbusters 3' right…"
You can't.
Three word solution: Brian Doyle Murray
You're welcome. That'll cost you one gum ball machine, Playlist.