Ghostbusters 3 Update

Posted by Nick Newman on

http://thefilmstage.com/news/dan-aykroyd-continues-to-talk-ghostbusters-3-says-shooting-will-commence-next-year/



I don’t think I’m being unreasonable when I say that Ghostbusters 3 wouldn’t be a possibility right now if it wasn’t for Dan Aykroyd referring to the movie whenever the opportunity arises. The big factor in stopping it has been Bill Murray, who has publicly stated that it’s nothing more than rumors, as well as wishes on the part of Sony. His statement makes perfect sense when you consider the studio’s apparent fixation on having him return to the series; if he really doesn’t want to do it, then the studio wouldn’t be able to move forward. There was Ivan Reitman confirming that he would return as director, but that was actually kind of a minor update in the grand scheme of things.



Still, Aykroyd continues to perpetuate the idea of a third installment. The latest round of this came from an interview he did on Dennis Miller Radio (via ComingSoon), and the details he passed along don’t sound much different than what we’ve previously heard — with one exception. His new statements indicate that it could happen without Murray on board, a decision that makes the film seem much more likely.



You can read his quote on returning members below:





“Yes, we will be doing the movie and hopefully with Mr. Murray. That is our hope. We have an excellent script. What we have to remember is that ‘Ghostbusters‘ is bigger than any one component, although Billy was absolutely the lead and contribute to it in a massive way, as was the director and Harold [Ramis], myself and Sigourney [Weaver]. The concept is much larger than any individual role and the promise of ‘Ghostbusters 3‘ is that we get to hand the equipment and the franchise down to new blood.”



When it comes to Ray and Egon, the characters played by himself and Harold Ramis, Aykroyd had this to say:





“My character, Ray, is now blind in one eye and can’t drive the Cadillac. He’s got a bad knee and can’t carry the packs… Egon is too large to get into the harness. We need young blood and that’s the promise. We’re gonna hand it to a new generation.”



Part of this aforementioned new generation is Criminal Minds actor Matthew Gray Gubler, although Aykroyd did say that they’re “going to see everyone that wants to do it,” with “three guys and a young woman” being required.



No mention on what’s happened with Ernie Hudson and Murray‘s characters, but the latter did say that he would come back if he was killed off “in the first reel,” which he claims writers Gene Stupinsky and Lee Eisenberg have done. Bear in mind that this was followed by him repeatedly saying that he won’t do the movie, so what’s really happening doesn’t seem evident. And, again, it seems like the movie is happening even if he decides not to return.



Taking out a quarter of the original lineup — who happens to be the most famous actor in the group — might make the general public experience an almost immediate sense of disinterest. Not only do people love seeing him onscreen, but Ghostbusters is one of his most iconic films. I already don’t care about this, but having Peter Venkman missing means that this wouldn’t even be a Ghostbusters movie in my eyes.