Pre-production discussion surrounding the highly-anticipated Ghostbusters 3 has presented an emotional roller coaster ride for diehard supporters of the series – especially with regard to Bill Murray’s role in the sequel. When it comes to fan-favorite character, Peter Venkman, there’s plenty of on-again off-again news – with many of the project’s key filmmakers blaming Murray for regularly stalling the movie. Murray, to his credit, has been respectful about the finger pointing, at least in the public eye, asserting that he’s open to supporting the film (and/or reprising his role) if he was presented with the right script.
However, for now at least, it sounds as though one-time Ghostbuster, Dan Aykroyd (who has been instrumental in moving the third film forward), is finally prepared to forge on without Murray.
It’s not the first time that Aykroyd has discussed moving forward without his ghostbusting partner but this time the actor/producer is offering a time window for Ghostbusters 3 production.
Speaking to Metro (in the UK) Aykroyd was extremely candid – flat out cutting Murray out of the equation before reflecting on the difficulty of the situation and teasing the future. Responding to the question, “Is Bill Murray doing [Ghostbusters 3]?” Aykroyd had this to say:
“No, I can tell you he won’t be involved.”
“It’s sad but we’re passing it on to a new generation. Ghostbusters 3 can be a successful movie without Bill. My preference would be to have him involved but at this point he doesn’t seem to be coming and we have to move on. It’s time to make the third one.”
As mentioned, Aykroyd also confirmed that the producers and studio are confident in the latest script idea (penned by Tropic Thunder‘s Etan Cohen) – and that, as a result, the film could begin production in 2013:
“We’ve got a brilliant new writer on it and we’ll be passing the torch on to a new generation. We’re working on it to make it just right to satisfy our fans. I’m confident we’ll be in production in the next year.”
The balance between “passing the torch” and “satisfying” prior fans is, no doubt, a tricky line to walk – and one of the many reasons that prior Ghostbusters 3 script drafts have failed to connect with studio executives, fans, and/or cast members.
At one point, it was speculated that Murray would be the “bridge” from the old guard to the knew – by dying and turning into a ghost himself. However, as that is no longer likely to be the case (or anything more than a brief cameo), wherever the Ghostbusters 3 plot goes – it’ll start with some aging, yet familiar, faces (Aykroyd for one) recruiting a lively new batch of Ghostbusters. Therefore, expect the filmmakers to focus on corralling a new team of up-and-coming Ghostbusters – a group that the studio could use for an entirely new set of films (and toys).
For now, the Ghostbusters faithful had better imagine a sequel without the team’s leading man but, as Murray has previously indicated (in spite of Aykroyd’s comments), “You just have to have a really good script, you know, it’s hard. I think, you know, we’ll try again.”
To Murray’s point, if the Cohen script falls flat somewhere along the road to 2013, there’s always that infamous J. Michael Straczynski idea.
-
Follow me on Twitter @benkendrick for more on Ghostbusters 3 as well as future movie, TV, and gaming news.
Source: Metro [via ComingSoon]
‘Arrow’ Season 1 Finale Review 
J.J. Abrams Planned ‘Star Trek’ TV Show; Rights Issues Led to Jump to ‘Star Wars’? 
‘Assassin’s Creed’ Gets Memorial Day 2015 Release Date 
Ron Howard’s ‘The Dark Tower’ Adaptation Still Alive 
Like not even a cameo? Can’t hook us up with cameo? That’s an a-hole if I ever saw one right there. I’m through with the guy personally – screw him and his movies. Zombieland is the last good memory I will keep of him. Now he’s just a ponce.
The fact Murray participated in the amazing Ghostbusters Video Game is enough for me. And honestly this 3rd film installment will likely be so ad (from the proposed casting plans of “younger kids) I’ll just pretend teh game is the 3rd movie forever.
If they want this to work they need to quit thinking “what would the kids these days like to see?”. Screw kids. How old were the orignal 4 guys? Early 30′s at least. UNLESS this “new generation” consists of the likes of Will Farell, John C. Riley, Dave Chappell, Vince Vaughn, Kristen Wigg, Danny McBride, Fred Armisen, and Steven Colbert. I just don’t see it working.
HMMMMMMMMMMM?^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ would you hate stallone and ford if they decided to stop making rambo and indiana jones film’s, just because hes not gonna be in GB 3 is no reason to hate on the guy be thankful hes been around this long and hes givens us some pretty damn good films including some of the ones he had cameo’s in
I’d love to see Murray in the third one but don’t hate him for not doing it. Having said that, those are pretty shoddy comparisons. Both those other franchises are four movies deep and have had comeback films, like what GB3 is attempting to do.
It’s starting to feel less like Murray is holding out for the sake of the integrity of the first two films and more like he enjoys the power trip of holding the fate of the franchise in the palm of his hand.
I don’t hate Bill Murray. There’s a difference between stubborness & hate.
I saw Ghostbusters for the 1st time at a dollar theater in Ogden, Utah back in 1985 & loved it. Ghostbusters 2, eh not so much. Not at all actually. The atmosphere, tone, & feel of the 2nd movie was a universe apart from the 1st. It was rumored at the time also that none of the original cast even wanted to do a sequel & you could tell! That said, I almost dread the thought of a 3rd installment after the groundwork torn up by the train wreck of the 2nd! However, if there is to be a 3rd movie, then it has to have Bill Murray, otherwise they may as well just reboot the entire franchise if possible with an entirely different cast, or let it go altogether! I understand it’ll never have the nostalgia quotient associated with the 1st if they go the reboot route, but perhaps a contemporary version might still find a niche with today’s (I’m rue to say more “discriminating”) audience if they can find just the right actors to fill the roles. Who knows…
I don’t know why GB2 gets such a bad wrap. I mean, it isn’t that bad. Honestly, it’s pretty decent. All the classic lines and jokes are there. I’ll admit the statue of liberty walking is a bit cheesy. I think the late 80s were a point where people started to wake up so they were more critical. In my opinion that’s the only flaw in the story but then again the stay puffed marshmellow man was cheesy too but somehow it worked because the story and premise was new. But maybe it didn’t work the second time because times changed. I dunno.
I think Bill is a great actor.. one of my favs. There should be a point to make GB3. Passing the torch to younger kids is kinda lame if you ask me. Why can’t they still make a movie even if they are in their 60s? If they are looking for youth flavor just add some fresh faces to the team as cousins or something but keep the focus on the guys. Ya know.
I can tell you now that passing the torch to younger kids is not going to be a box office hit! At this point they should just make a mature movie which is scary but take out any cheesy things (like stay pufft, statue of liberty walking) out of the equation.
They should decide if the movie is going to be comedy or horror or a children’s fable! The first one was kinda all 3, the second one was the same. I’d say the 3rd one should be comedy and horror. Just make a semi-serious horror movie and let Bill do whatever he feels like it and roll the cameras.
Vince Vaughn in Ghostbusters 3 please!!!!!!!!
He would be perfect!!!!!!!!
Vince Vaughn in Ghostbusters 3 please!
He would be perfect!
I am extremely tired of Bill’s game playing with his involvement in Ghostbusters 3. If he doesn’t want to do it fine, he’s entitled to say so. But the fanboy outcry of “no bill no movie” is just plain stupid. I love the films but it is time for the movie to be made. Give a tip of the hat to Bill by all means but time for him to be a roadblock to this film being made is over.
I think ghostbusters 3 should be made Bill Murray and the other cast should play it will not be the same with out them.
You can’t replace bill murry because it wouldn’t be the same
its been already said by the end of last year around xmas dan or ramis got a call from bill saying hes in plus dan said that bill is the type to hold off till the last minute. im sure bill is tired of people asking about GB3 thats why he lies and says he aint in (i’d do the same) but we all know better bill showed up in 2011 at a movie awards dress in full buster gear. hell even bill said him self he was caught singing the theme song. so all of that should be proof enough that hes in for GB3!