Ghostbusters 3 is quickly becoming one of the most talked about sequels that may never even see the light of day, but fortunately for us, writer, creater, actor and chief ghostbusting cheerleader Dan Aykroyd is keeping it alive.
Aykroyd recently sat down with Esquire to weave a weird web of conversation like only Dan Aykroyd can do. Shifting from his strong love of the paranormal to his own brand of Crystal Head Vodka to the greenlighting of Ghostbusters 3, this must read interview is the most authoritative look yet into the future of the ‘busters franchise.
“I’m as deeply inside Ghostbusters 3 as anyone involved in the project,” Aykroyd tells Esquire, “that includes the executives at Sony, who have to go to sleep at night and have to decide to do it. Ivan Reitman, the director, who travels from Santa Barbara to L.A., and has for the last three years, working with writers to put it together. [The Officewriters] Gene Stupnitsky and Lee Eisenberg, who worked on one of the drafts.”
Aykroyd also talks about where Bill Murray stands on the project. We reported back in August that Murray was officially out, but things could change — and you never know when it comes to the actor who brought Dr. Peter Venkman to life.
“Had Billy chosen to do the Eisenberg/Stupnitsky script of two years ago, it would be out this summer, and it would be a massive hit,” said Aykroyd.
And if Murray wants to be involved?
“I originally had him as a ghost in the Stupnitsky/Eisenberg draft. Because he said, ‘If I do this, I want to be dead, and I want to be a ghost.’ So I said, well, we’ll build you in there.”
Aykroyd is definitely optimistic about the ‘guranteed’ success of a third Ghostbusters and even talks about future sequels. He says, “If they [Sony] make this movie, in its current shape, they would be looking at a pretty hefty, nine-figure return.”
Dan, I hope you’re right and I hope to see new life in a franchise I really love.
What do you think about the possibility of Ghostbusters 3?
