It seems the word on Bill Murray’s involvement in the third Ghostbusters film has finally been confirmed by the man himself. The how and why of that involvement are slightly different than expected. While Murray will indeed be returning as the sarcastic and sly Peter Venkman from the original films, he’s trading in his proton pack for a slimy coating of ectoplasm.
Looks like Bill has requested he be made a ghost for the next outing.
Various cast and crew members have recently spoken about their return to the franchise but Murray has been the lone hold-out. Weaver, Hudson, Ramis, and Akroyd are all onboard in front of the camera with Ivan Reitman returning to direct. However, in a recent interview with Mail Online Murray confessed he was returning, although it was under condition of the following:
“I’ll come back in Ghostbusters III only if I get to be a ghost. I said to them, ‘I’ll do it if you kill me off in the first reel.’ So now they are going to have me as a ghost in the film.”
Umm, ok, Bill. I’m not sure how that’s going to work exactly but I’ll remain optimistic for the time being. If Venkman still gets to hang about for the entirety of the film, learning how the other half after-lives than I think this could be a creative way to go. If it’s essentially Murray trying to squeeze out a small cameo and then bolt, I’m less enthusiastic about it. Why do detriment to a great character to meet the needs of a fussy star?
Still, anyone who saw last year’s Zombieland (another horror-comedy that delivered the belly laughs) knows that Bill can nail a cameo like few other actors around. If his work in Ghostbusters 3 is even half as inspired as that bit, than I look forward to whatever Reitman has in store for us.
Until we see the final product, I’ve got my particle streams crossed that this one works out.
