As the Ghostbusters reboot kicks into gear amid screams, jeers, and mild optimism, the question that continues to rise in everyone’s mind is simply: will Bill Murray be there? For anyone who has followed the ups and downs surrounding the oft-discussed Ghostbusters III, the answer must be a resounding NO. Murray has repeatedly voiced his total lack of interest in appearing in another Ghostbusters film, despite both fan and media speculation that maybe he can be persuaded. Will that all change now that Paul Feig is set to helm a Ghostbusters reboot with an all-female cast?
The answer remains ambiguous, but it seems that Murray is a bit more open to the idea of appearing in Feig’s film than he has been in any past iterations. In speaking to Variety (via /Film), the actor admitted that a new, fresh take on Ghostbusters is certainly what’s needed. That in itself might bring him back to the fold, if only for a cameo.
Here’s some of what he said:
Those guys, Danny [Aykroyd] and Harold [Ramis], were at the top of their game They were burning nitro at that moment. Unless you have a really clear vision, you’re always trying to recreate that…I read one that Danny [Aykroyd] wrote that was crazy bizarre and too crazy to comprehend.
So if the new film can match some of that original energy, maybe we can hold out hope for a Murray cameo.
This news may seem rather scanty, but it’s the most positive response that Murray has yet given. Remember that this was also the man who said that an all-female Ghostbusters was a great idea and even offered up his casting choices, in stark contrast to Ernie Hudson’s less than enthusiastic response.
It would not surprise me to see Murray cameo in the Ghostbusters reboot, even if it’s just to walk on screen for a few seconds. That would be perfectly in keeping with the actor’s tendency to take parts just for the fun of it. If he did pop up in the new Ghostbusters, after all his denials, Dan Aykroyd might very well have a fit.
We shall have to wait and see what comes of the Ghostbusters reboot and Murray’s potential involvement in it. All I can say though is that this is the most hopeful I’ve been about this film in a very long time.
