When I bumped into actor Ernie Hudson, an incredibly nice guy, at a Golden Globes event earlier this year at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood, I had just one thing to say to him: “I hope you guys do a third ‘Ghosbusters’ film.”  His response: “Hey, man, I hope we do it!”  Well, it’s looking more and more like Hudson and I might get our wish.

I’ve been hoping for a third installment in the “Ghostbusters” franchise ever since the 1989 “Ghostbusters II” came and went (a film many hated, but I adored).  It’s just a comedy staple that I think could use another go.  The first film is, to my mind, one of the most quotable films of all time, and if you asked me to offer up a list of favorite movies (not necessarily “greatest films ever made”), “Ghosbusters” would be close to the top.

As a reborn video game nerd, I’ve also been hotly anticipating next month’s “Ghostbusters” video game, which for a time was said to be the only third production to feature the continued adventures of the paranormal policing squad we could expect.  But that just wasn’t good enough.  And with a number of scripts, from originator Dan Aykroyd to “Office” scripters Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky, there have certainly been options floating around.

The one guy dragging his feet on a new film has been actor Bill Murray, who has never been shy about calling “Ghostbusters II” a turd.  But he’s been warming up to the idea.  You might remember those comments he made at Fantastic Fest in September of last year, that the “wounds” of the second film have finally “healed.”

Well it seems that Hero Complex blogger Geoff Boucher has nailed down confirmation from Aykroyd.  Not only that, but it seems everyone — EVERYONE — is on board for a third installment.  Check out what Aykroyd had to say after the jump.

Aykroyd said Sigourney Weaver is on board now, as are the original squad of ectoplasmic specialists — Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Harold Ramis and Ernie Hudson. Murray’s presence was the pivot point in making a third film happen. He holds a one-fifth controlling interest in the property rights and has been seen as the most reluctant to return to the paranormal comedy. Aykroyd said that is true but that it’s more nuanced than the public portrayal of the situation.

“I don’t put not making the third movie on Billy. We can’t do that. I’ve been very busy. Harold’s been busy, Ivan’s been busy. And a third script really didn’t coalesce properly. And Billy, you can’t blame an artist for not wanting to do the same thing again. He did two of them, for God’s sake. Although I’m the biggest cheerleader as the originator of the concept but I’ve never begrudged Billy not doing a third movie. I never said he held it up or that he refused. Hey, listen, he’s an artist. You can’t force somebody into it. I’m sorry he never read my third draft because I thought it was pretty good but, look, now we’re at a point that there’s a story that he can accept and that’s going to work, and I think we’re going to be in production fairly soon. We could be in production by winter.”

I’ll admit up front that “Year One” looks abysmal to me.  I’m happy to go in, have my mind changed and laugh all the way to the popcorn stand, but from afar, it doesn’t appeal to me.  And I’m wary of a “new generation” angle, because I’m sure there will be one or more actors cast in this thing that I either hate or would rather not saddle up to a personal favorite franchise.  If I see Michael Cera wearing a proton pack, I’ll want to shoot myself.  In any case, I’m a die hard “Office” disciple, so maybe there is something to this script.  We’ll have to see.  I’m just excited something is on track and that everyone is on board.  That says a lot (though hopefully it doesn’t say “cash grab.”)

If anyone has a copy of the Eisenberg/Stupnitsky script, or even the original Aykroyd draft, I’d love to have a look.  Send it my way.

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