‘Ghostbusters 3’ Movie in Peril as Bill Murray Not Interested, Says Dan Aykroyd

Hide the kids. Lock up your sharp objects. It's time for yet another terrifying installment of: Tales from Development Hell.

The story behind "Ghostbusters 3," the long gestating sequel to 1989's "Ghostbusters 2," has amassed a kind of horror the movies never even dreamed of achieving. The film has been in a vague state of development for too many years to count now, going through various script changes, writers, and edits. In a new revealing interview with Esquire, creator, writer and star of the films Dan Aykroyd understandably sounds more than a little exhausted with the protracted process.

He explains how a long writing process, which included a draft by "Office" writers Gene Stupnitsky and Lee Eisenberg followed by a rewrite from Etan Cohen ("Tropic Thunder," "Men in Black 3"), has produced "a script that we like." However, by the end of the interview he gives a statement that sounds like an ultimatum to studio Sony, warning them if they don't act now, he can't promise he won't move on to something else.

Aykrod revealed in fairly explicit detail exactly how far along the film is.

"I've worked on every draft in the last three years, as Ivan has, and now we have a story and a draft that everybody seems to agree would make the third movie. At this point, I think we're closer than we ever have been. And because of the ever-shifting sands and nature of the motion-picture business, I will just say that hopefully, at some point, it will be morphing into what is known in the business as a [Aykroyd mimes air quotes] 'production number XP39789,'" said Aykroyd to Esquire.

"Then I will begin to rent cars, get hotel rooms, and bill for writing. But that point hasn't come. All my work has been gratis to this point, as Ivan [Reitman's] has, and I'm hoping that I can get that production number set up in L.A. and help everyone bring the movie to fruition, as the originator and creator of the concept. If it does not happen, the life of Dan Aykroyd and his family and friends will be quite full without 'Ghostbusters 3.'"

Many have long suspected that one of the original film's principal leading actors, Bill Murray was the main reason behind the seemingly stalled project. Aykroyd doesn't exactly refute the claim, but did offer some explanation concerning Murray's involvement.

"Let me say this: Had Billy chosen to do the Eisenberg/Stupnitsky script of two years ago, it would be out this summer, and it would be a massive hit," he said.

"Then when he said, 'Absolutely not, I'm not in this,' we had to go and really rethink things. He abrogated his say in the project, abrogated his rights to have any say in it by refusing the third offer from the picture company, which his lawyer put before him, and Billy said, 'No, I can't respond.' Now we have to move on, but we'll always leave a hole for him. He's always there. He can always come back at any time and be rebuilt into it, as far as I'm concerned. That's up to his lawyer and the picture company to work out, but creatively, he will always be a part of it."

Aykroyd goes on to say if "Ghostbusters 3" doesn't get made, it's not the end of the world. He says if Sony wants to make the movie though, the window of opportunity is getting smaller every day.

"We can't wait forever," Aykroyd said. "And now's the time to tell the picture company, and I'd say this quite publicly, it's time now to sit down and make this movie, or you will lose your main principals, and you won't be able to make it without us, because we have rights, and now is time to make the movie... You don't take advantage of that in the next three or four months, I'll see you in Australia, where we'll be selling Crystal Head [Akyroyd's vodka brand]."