Studio: No 'Ghostbusters 3' Without Bill Murray

By Moviefone Editors Posted Jan 13th 2011 05:51AM

If you've been following the ever-increasing rumors revolving around 'Ghostbusters 3,' you know the drill. There's a script written by Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky ('Year One,' 'The Office'), and pretty much everyone is eager to jump back into the supernatural world for a bit before handing over the reigns to a new crop of ghostbusters. That is, everyone except Bill Murray.

Most of the rumors and news items about the film have focused on Murray because the actor isn't so keen on returning to the world. So the project continues to rest in stasis, going nowhere.

Since the story is a passing of the torch, one might assume that it would be possible to do the film without Murray. But in a case of supreme studio loyalty -- and smarts, because let's face it, he's got the most star power of the bunch -- Sony won't give the sequel the green light unless Murray is involved.

A few days ago, during PR rounds for 'No Strings Attached,' Ivan Reitman said that "virtually everything" we think we know about the third film is wrong. A newly edited script was just finished and sent to Murray, and they're waiting to see what he has to say. Now Deadline sources explain that it's all up to the actor. "Without Murray, the studio absolutely will not make the film." With a hefty price tag -- $150 million -- Sony just won't risk it without a firm deal, nor do any "meaningful prep" that could be in vain.

It's nice to see some studio loyalty, even if it is monetarily inspired, after casting drama with Hulk actors, 'Iron Man' replacements and the like. And though Murray's disinterest might keep the project in limbo and make eager fans crazy, it's hard to blame him.

He told GQ last year that the dream for the third installment vaporized when he heard how bad 'Year One' was, and that these same guys -- Stupnitsky and Eisenberg -- were penning the script. He claimed that even fellow ghostbusters saw it and said, "It was one of the worst things they had ever seen in their lives." (Worst ever? Maybe not. Really bad? Definitely.) But Ernie Hudson -- you might remember him as Winston Zeddemore -- really boiled it down, explaining that "Bill has been the hold up. His definition of good is a little bit different than everybody else's."

If Murray holds up the project until the script is worthy, should we complain? Out of the actual ghostbusters (excluding supporting star Sigourney Weaver), he's got the most star power and solid career, so his definition of good is rather important.

That being said, he did get involved with 'Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties' a few years ago. But at least he regrets it.

See more movie news at Moviephone.

Comments

(17)

Thursday 13 January

By okokitsbiker

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They have already filmed most of it.. My husband works in NYC near the fire hall used for the Ghostbusters office. They were filming there with the ghostbusters car etc for quite some time in the fall!

Saturday 15 January

By Mark

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I think you are mistaking. Since this article and everything else on the internet say that the movie has not begun filming.

By D Wayne

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I won't see it unless BM is in it.

By sergeantjjsefton

I don't know if we'll see Bill in this one. I believe he's on a vacation - from his problems.

By megslin

Back in the 80's, Ivan Reitman, Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, and Harold Ramis, were given veto power over the entire proceedings for a potential Ghostbusters 3. So it's all for one and one for all, or nothing at all. It's not that they "need Bill Murray because he's so fabulous," It's that Arkoyd and Ramis have worked on the script, Reitman is on board to direct, and Murray has so far had nothing to do with the project, but still needs to approve it.

By ron6590

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He's worried about it being bad ... remember "Lost in Traslation " that movie was the most boring thing I have tried to watch . And Bill really , you were in Zombie Land as a zombie and your afraid to do another Ghost Busters ? Please !!

By JOE AMERICAN

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dump murry,
the guy is a lousy actor any way. hes down to making
second rate movies... the last movie i saw him in was
the city of embers which was a second rate b movie..
he didn't even have a staring roll in it...
REPLACE HIM WITH "DAN FOGLER" FROM BALLS OF FURY
HE TWICE AS FUNNY AND A HELL OF A LOT BETTER ACTOR..

By job1866

I don't know where popeater gets their info, but they couldnt be more goddamn wrong. Check your sources idiots. The movie is almost done and Murray is in it.

By guy

C'mon Bill. Just do it already. It's not like you've got to "work' or anything.

By Homer Simpson

I won't see it if bm is in it. He sucks

Sunday 16 January

By marc

last time Bill talked to me it was in stone...

By Glen

ghostbusters 2 was awful. I Don't blame Murry for avoiding another stink pot.

By Mary

The Razor's Edge was probably the best film that Bill Murray ever made. Funny, sad, interesting, and Murray really made that film what it was. Great!

By RoeC

According to Ivan this movie isn't cast yet so there is no way it started filming. They are indeed waiting for Murray to greenlight the script.

By art

Think of all the money they would save if they dumped Bill Murray and gave the part to, say for instance, me. I'll do it for a 10th of what Murray would get. Just because you haven't heard of me doesn't mean that I am not a professional actor, you know.

By JEB BUCKINGHAM

Where are they going to get another 1959 Cadillac ambulance for the "Ecto 1"? I saw the car go across the auction block at Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction this last year.

By Titen-Sxull

I have no interest in seeing the movie without Bill Murray as Venkmen. They're all good characters but they're best when together. I don't blame Murray at all, Year One was pretty bad.

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