How They Should Have Made Ghostbusters III

7. Reunite The Key Players

The original film primarily works because of the funny and charming performances from its principle actors, anchored by an enlightened and concentrated director. The Ghostbusters framework alone isn’t enough to make a great movie; it requires the essential creative players to give it familiar tone and spirit.

At its best, the chemistry between Murray, Aykroyd and Ramis is something that simply cannot be replicated, and is ultimately the signature mark of the series. Supplemented by the stable Ernie Hudson and Sigourney Weaver, as well as the madcap Rick Moranis, the film amounts to an offbeat but very well balanced comedy.

But yes, there was the issue of Bill Murray. In various interviews, he seemed fairly back and forth on the idea of returning, but he never outright said never. It's fair to assume he would have committed if the script was unique and good enough, and not just derivative of the first two movies. Whatever the case, the film would have had a very hard time without him.

In fact it would have been depressingly empty if any of the cast were limited to cameo roles or disregarded completely. Each of them were a cornerstone in crafting an ultimately very special franchise, and their absence would have only rendered the film disrespectful and probably kind of pointless.