Updated: Since this story hit, Dan Aykroyd has appeared on WGN Radio Chicago confirming that Bill Hader and Anna Faris are 'strong possibilities' for Ghostbusters 3, and that he still wants Eliza Dushku for his franchise. He mentioned that although they were looking at potential new cast members (including fresh faces), everything was still to early to call.
Dan Aykroyd was on WGN Radio Chicago where he commented on those pesky rumors. He confirmed that they are casting and open to finding some fresh faces, adding that both Bill Hader and Anna Faris have been mentioned as "strong possibilities", although it's still too earlier to call. Aykroyd, who plays Dr. Raymond Stantz in the franchise, also mentioned Eliza Dushku's name again, also confirming (what we already knew) that both Bill Murray and Sigourney Weaver are returning. Columbia Pictures is aiming at a May 2011 start date. In the weeks since
Bill Murray surprisingly turned up in full Ghostbuster gear at this year's Scream Awards - there's been a fair amount of scuttlebutt going around that his appearance was to sound out a public message that he was now fully on board with the long-gestated third installment in this comedy franchise and that the film might finally go before camera's next year. Now the guys at
What's Playing are saying their insider casting source has spilled to them that Saturday Night Live duo
Will Forte and
Bill Hader might be wanted for two roles in the film and that Sony are 'hot' on
Anna Faris. Their source says, directly in response to the Faris rumour;
Dunno. First Ive heard of it. Heard Will Fortes name mentioned and Bill Hader, but not Faris. Im not in on all that though, so she could be; does like her.
Of course there's a long history between Ghostbusters and SNL as original stars Bill Murray and
Dan Ackroyd were regulars on the show before making the transition to film - so we wouldn't be at all surprised if they looked at the current crop of SNL comedians with a view to giving them this opportunity. Both Hader and Forte have that off-beat humour that would feel right for this world and despite neither being actors that can sell tickets alone, we would be happy to see either man jump on board as a supporting piece of the new film's jigsaw.
As far as Faris goes - Sony are likely to be hot on her because of their low-brow comedy
The House Bunny which she managed to sell on her own to a near $50 million domestic gross and she was also in the voice casting for their recently successful animated film
Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs. We could certainly see Faris' alt-style comedy in this series, maybe not so much as a Ghostbuster but instead as the new secretary? Certainly not the love interest either because as fun as she is to watch on screen she's a massive step down from
Sigourney Weaver. But you can see how funny and fearless she is about going all out with her wacky characters in the
Scary Movies series and last year's
Observe & Report. She has a history of giving more than her character's and the films she has been in, have demanded. Casting offices are said to be opening up in Chicago, New York and L.A. reportedly so they can audition young male and female actors aged 18-30 for roles in the film. As ever though when it comes to Ghostbusters 3, you are probably better off just imagining that it won't happen until there's official snaps from the set of filming actually taking place. Though there certainly looks to be some movement that Sony are now reportedly 100% happy with
The Office writers
Gene Stupnisky and
Lee Eisenberg's script, that Bill Murray is finally happy with portraying Peter Venkman again and that Sony are finally coming around to the idea of letting the guy whose last two films were
My Super Ex-Girlfriend and
Evolution, to direct.
What this project needs to kick into full gear next year is Reitman's sex comedy
No Strings Attached hitting big with
Natalie Portman and
Ashton Kutcher in January ... and then suddenly Sony might finally stop bugging Ramis, Ackroyd, Murry and Hudson about using a hipper, younger director. What's Playing source predicts GB 3 filming next fall but previously a May shooting start was being muted.