In “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire,” the performers from the original “Ghostbusters” film—Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, and Annie Potts—bravely faced out against not only a brand-new spectral menace but also their long-standing foe, those enormous proton packs.
“The damn packs, they’re so heavy,” Murray remarked. It was awful a long time ago to wear the pack. Wearing the pack right now is excruciating.”
Forty years after its first release, the legendary cast of the 1984 classic “Ghostbusters” has reunited with newcomers Paul Rudd and Mckenna Grace in a blend of the past and present.
The performers played scientists who launched a ghost-catching company in New York City in the original movie.
In addition to becoming one of the 1980s’ highest-grossing movies, the picture had a long-lasting effect on popular culture.
Murray remembered being given the first draft of the “Ghostbusters” script, which was about 27 pages long. He said that he read it at around 5:30 a.m. and decided right once to take part, stating, “Okay, I’m in.”
The group got back together on two films: “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” in 2021 and “Ghostbusters II,” the sequel, in 1989.
While shooting the film, Murray and the other members of the original crew—who are now in their seventies—joked about feeling their age.
We used to joke about how, after a take where we had to climb stairs or something, we would just look at each other and say, ‘This is it, right?'” Murray remarked.
In the latest film, Paul Rudd makes a reappearance as Gary Grooberson, a teacher who is aware of the legacy of the first “Ghostbusters.” Despite Rudd’s long career, which includes roles in films such as “Clueless” and “AntMan,” he expressed amazement at being among the original “Ghostbusters” cast.
“It’s amazing,” Rudd exclaimed. “I mean, even just sitting with them all right now. It isn’t real. Even though I’ve been getting to know them over the past few years, I still think highly of every single individual sitting on this couch.”
Grace portrays the granddaughter of Egon Spengler, carrying on the legacy of the late Harold Ramis in a “Ghostbusters” narrative. She reminisced about her early years of visiting the Sony lot for an audition and stopping to take a picture with the “Ghostbusters” vehicle.
“It’s funny talking about the movie and being a ‘Ghostbuster’ whenever I’m with you guys, because I’m like, am I saying the right thing?” said Grace. “Am I allowed to speak on behalf of a ‘Ghostbuster?'”