Entertainment

Bill Murray won't do Ghostbusters 3 says Ivan Reitman

Ghostbusters director and long time Bill Murray collaborator, Ivan Reitman, describes why Murray isn't interested in bringing Peter Venkman back to life.

The much-loved comedian's heart isn't into it says Canadian director Ivan Reitman

It's Bill Murray Day!

10 years ago
Duration 4:15
How fans are celebrating the legendary comedian, Bill Murray, at TIFF 2014

Believe it or not, it’s been 30 years since Ghostbusters blasted onto big screens, becoming an instant classic and blowing up Bill Murray’s profile to Stay Puft Marshmalllow Man proportions. Around the world, fans are strapping on their proton packs in honour of the paranormal film’s anniversary.

Nowhere are the Psycho Kinetic Energy readings higher than in Canada’s biggest city, where the Toronto International Film Festival has declared Friday Bill Murray Day.

The beloved comedian, and public trickster has become something of a celebrity phenomenon by randomly crashing parties, becoming a surprise bartender and photobombing unsuspecting couples.

Predicting the unpredictable

Acclaimed Canadian filmmaker, Ghostbusters director and longtime Murray collaborator, Ivan Reitman, introduced the film at a special anniversary screening at TIFF. He explained to CBC News why its so hard to predict what Murray will do next.

Bill Murray as parapsychologists Peter Venkman in Ivan Reitman's 1984 hit Ghostbusters. 30 years later, and Reitman says Murray is never going to "sell out." (Columbia Pictures)
"He just likes to be surprising," said Reitman.

"He is hard to find, but if you need to find him, you can find him. He has a lawyer and he has a telephone number that you can leave a message on."

Reitman—who worked with Murray on Meatballs and Stripes—also confirmed that a Ghostbusters 3 is in the works, but that Murray is unlikely to be involved.

"Every once in a while [Murray] would say, 'it would be kind of nice to do another one if only I find a script that was good enough', but in his brain and his heart, I don't think it's really there."

In typical Bill Murray fashion, it's unclear if Bill Murray will appear at TIFF, or walk the red carpet premiere of his movie St. Vincent.

Ivan Reitman describes his longtime relationship with Murray in the video above.

The Toronto International Film Festival runs through Sept. 14.