With Paul Feig’s Ghostbusters opening in theaters this week, let’s take a look back to the original Ghostbusters (1984). All of this week we’ll have our fun time facts about the Ghostbusters franchise.
The original script by Dan Aykroyd was thought to be much darker. Over time, the script was changed significantly to set a more kid friendly, lighter tone.
Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis originally wrote the role of Dr. Peter Venkman for John Belushi. Sadly, Belushi passed away in 1982 before filming started. Michael Keaton and Chevy Chase were both offered the role of Venkman but turned it down. Shortly after, Bill Murray agreed to play Venkman only if the studio (Columbia Pictures) agreed to finance a remake to the 1946 film, “The Razor’s Edge” in which they did.
John Candy was originally set to play Louis Tully but dropped out due to creative differences with producer/director Ivan Reitman. Among the differences were that Candy wanted the character to have a German accent, in which Reitman refused. Candy’s good friend Rick Moranis took over the role of the lovable, nerdy accountant Louis Tully.
Eddie Murphy was set to play Winston Zeddmore but decided to star in Beverly Hills Cop instead. Ernie Hudson read the script and loved the character and his backstory so he took the role and less salary. The night before shooting began, Hudson received a new script that greatly reduced Winston’s role, including his backstory. Columbia Pictures wanted to expand Bill Murray’s (Peter Venkman) role so they had some last minute re-writes that ended up significantly reducing Winston Zeddmore’s role and screen time.
In the original script, Slimer was named Onionhead.
The Stay Puft Marshmallow Man’s goo that gets all over everyone was actually Shaving Cream.
Porn star Ron Jeremy was an extra who can be briefly seen behind a barricade while Ray (Dan Aykroyd) and Winston (Ernie Hudson) drive up in Ecto-1 after the containment unit explodes.
(No, Ron’s penis was not visible)
