One of the more controversial bits of movie news of 2014 so far was the announcement that, after years of false starts, more than one different script and the recent sad passing of Harold Ramis, Sony was restarting development on a new "Ghostbusters" movie, putting it in the hands of director Paul Feig, who plans to focus on a team of female Ghostbusters.
We say controversial, but it’s only caused a fuss among man-babies who don’t like girls playing with their toys. But it may not matter so much now, because the idea has won the approval of a fairly significant figure, in the shape of original Ghostbuster, and long-time sequel holdout, Bill Murray. And he’s even got some casting suggestions.
The star is in the Great White North for the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival, for the premiere of new film "St. Vincent," and while doing press, was asked about the new idea by Schmoes Know. Murray responded, "It sounds great to me. It sounds as good an idea as any other! There are a lot of women that could scare off any kind of vapor! No, it’s a grand idea. I don’t know who they’re talking about, but it’s a good idea, i would watch it! I mean, I love Robert Palmer’s videos, so why wouldn’t I love the female Ghostbusters?" The Robert Palmer bit is a little condescending, but still, a resounding thumbs up.
Murray had even more to say to the Toronto Star, suggesting a few potential name for who could fill the old beige uniforms. "Melissa [McCarthy, Murray’s co-star in "St. Vincent"] would be a spectacular Ghostbuster. And Kristen Wiig is so funny—God she’s funny! I like this girl Linda Cardellini a lot. And Emma Stone is funny. There are some funny girls out there."
Fine suggestions all (we particularly like Murray’s tip of the hat to the often undervalued Cardellini). It’s still probably unlikely that the shake-up of the property would interest Murray, who reportedly ignored scripts for previous iterations, but who knows, perhaps if enough people he respects sign on, he could be persuaded to pop up at some point. We’re still some way from any official announcement here. Feig has to finish up comedy "Spy," starring McCarthy and should-also-be-a-Ghostbuster Rose Byrne, first. But Murray’s casting suggestions are as good as any we’ve heard so far.