The original 1984 Ghostbusters it was almost very, very different thanks to some near castings that didn't happen. The beloved film continues to be iconic for its humorous look at the supernatural, and unique tonal storytelling within this genre. Ghostbusters starred Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Sigourney Weaver, Harold Ramis, Rick Moranis, Annie Potts, William Atherton, Ernie Hudson and more. However, several roles in the beloved cult classic film were almost played by other acclaimed actors.
The 1980s saw a boom in franchise films, including Ghostbusters. Many of these franchises launched the careers of some of Hollywood's most beloved stars. Several actors who refused Ghostbusters went on to star in his own hugely successful franchises, most notably Jurassic Park, Beetlejuice, and several others. Without its iconic cast, Ghostbusters it wouldn't have become the cult classic it is today.
8
Michael Keaton
Keaton was considered for the role of Peter Venkman
Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actor Michael Keaton was considered for the role of Venkmanwhich ultimately went to Bill Murray. Keaton was one of several actors to turn down the role, reading an early version of the script that previously lacked the comic relief it continues to gain. Ghostbusters praise today. He starred in a number of highly successful projects throughout the 1980s, notably the cult comedy-horror classic Beetle juice and the holder Batman. The actor has also starred in several successful dramas, including Clean and sober.
He later appeared alongside Emma Thompson, Kenneth Branagh, Denzel Washington, Keanu Reeves and others in the 1993 adaptation of Shakespeare's work. Much Ado About Nothing. In the late 1990s and 2000s, the actor starred in several family films, including Herbie Fully Loaded, Jack Frost, first daughterand much more. Keaton's vast experience in different film genres, even early in his career, would still have made him a solid choice for the role of Venkman. in Ghostbusters.
Venkman's character has a doctorate in parapsychology and psychology and is a professor at Columbia University. The character the humorous sarcasm and disinterest in the ghost that the film suggests make it the perfect addition to an often overzealous gang of supernatural hunters. He is often more interested in flirting with his female clientele than actually putting an end to the ghosts he was hired to find. This joke remains one of the film's many sources of comic relief.
7
Tom Hanks
Hanks was also considered for the role of Venkman
Tom Hanks is now a two-time Oscar winnerseven-time Emmy winner, five-time Golden Globe winner and two-time SAG Award winner. Hanks first became known in popular culture as "America's Dad", as many of his early career roles were in romantic comedies and family drama films. The same year that Hanks would have starred Ghostbusters, he instead starred splash, a 1984 romantic comedy film about a man who falls in love with a mermaid named Madison (Darryl Hannah).
Hanks became known as one of the best romantic comedy actors of his generationappearing in Nora Ephron's Sleepless in Seattle, and You've got mail. Hanks is also known for his impactful roles in historical dramas, notably the Oscar-winning Philadelphia, which stars Hanks as a gay lawyer battling AIDS while suing his own firm for discrimination. Hanks later starred as the titular Forest Gumpwhich accompanied the character at several crucial moments in history. Hanks more than proved his ability as an actor, but his sincerity wouldn't have produced the same dry sarcasm as Murray's Venkman.
6
João Doce
Candy received the role of Louis Tully
Comedian and actor John Candy turned down the role of Louis Tully after his ideas for the script were rejected. The role ultimately went to Rick Moranis. Louis' character is Dana's quirky neighbor. He is possessed by Vinz Clortho, who, together with Zuul, opens the interdimensional gate to bring in Gozer the Gozerian, God of destruction. This makes Louis patient zero for the incumbent Ghostbusters.
Candy starred alongside fellow almost-Ghostbusters Tom Hanks in Splash, and Bill Murray in 1981 Stripes before Ghostbusters. He appeared alongside Steve Martin in the heartwarming holiday film Planes, trains and automobiles. Candy continued to work with director John Hughes until his untimely death in 1994, when he passed away after suffering a heart attack in his sleep. Candy had a family history of heart problems and her father suffered the same fate (via The New York Times).
5
Jeff Goldblum
Goldblum was offered the role of Egon Spengler
Acclaimed actor Jeff Goldblum was offered the role of Egon Spengler, the professor whose studies created the framework for the title Ghostbusters ghost fighting system. Spengler's humorous lack of social skills outside of academia is part of the character's charm. He is completely unaware of Janine Melnitz's romantic interest in him. Spengler is one of the four titular Ghostbusters, and the role ultimately went to Harold Ramis.
Goldblum turned down the role of Spengler before going on to star in several science fiction films throughout the 1980s. his role as a much more charismatic academic in Jurassic Park alongside Laura Dern. Although his role as Dr. Ian Malcolm saw the actor step into the shoes of a chaos scientist and mathematician, Goldblum's charisma may not have carried the necessary strangeness for Spengler.
Goldblum has built an incredibly successful career, frequently collaborating with director Wes Anderson on The Grand Budapest Hotel, Isle of Dogs, Asteroid City, and much more. He has also appeared on several popular television shows, including Will and Grace and Happiness. He will soon appear in one of the biggest films of 2024, the long-awaited film adaptation of the long-running Broadway musical. Evil.
4
Chevrolet Chase
Chase Was Offered the Role of Venkman
Original Saturday night live cast member and acclaimed actor-comedian Chevy Chase claims he turned down the role of Venkman in Ghostbusters (via IndieWire). Chase stated that he had seen an early version of the script in which the film fell more into the horror genre rather than the comedy it eventually became. Despite refusing, Chase remained confident in his choice.
Chase previously hosted the "Weekend Update" segment of Saturday night livecurrently hosted by Michael Che and Colin Jost. Chase has had an illustrious career in the world of film and television. Among his most popular films are National Lampoon's Vacation,!Three Amigos!, Snow Day, and much more. Chase played drums in The Leather Canary alongside Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, who formed the legendary jazz band Steely Dan. Chase once claimed to have absolute pitch in his memoirs (via I'm Chevy Chase... and you're not).
3
Eddie Murphy
Murphy was considered for the role of Winston Zeddemore
Ernie Hudson played Winston Zeddmore in Ghostbusters, but Eddie Murphy was already considered for the role. The script was reportedly changed after Murphy turned down the role. Zeddmore is often the group's voice of reason, as he does not have a scientific background and therefore has more real-world experience outside of the academic bubble. While the part is funny, Murphy definitely could have offered a different take.
Murphy became a Golden Globe and Emmy-winning actor. He began his career in stand-up comedy in the 1980s, appearing in several films, including Beverly Hills Police Officer. Murphy's film career reached new heights in the 1990s when he starred in The crazy teacher and voiced Mushu in the Disney film Mulan. Murphy's distinctive voice paved the way for a number of other notable voice acting roles, including Donkey in Dreamworks' Shrek. Murphy finally delved into the paranormal with the 2003 film The haunted mansion.
2
Julia Roberts
Roberts almost played Dana Barrett
Dana Barrett, Louis Tully's neighbor in GhostbustersShe quickly finds herself enraptured by the group's exploits. Her building turns out to be the portal to the demon that possessed Louis in the first film, and she finds herself connected to the group throughout the franchise. Later, Dana marries Venkman. The role eventually went to actress Sigourney Weaver, who, until 1984, predominantly acted in drama films and was initially hesitant to audition.
Julia Roberts was also in the audition room (through Yahoo News). Throughout the 1980s, Roberts went on to star in the most famous film Mystic Pizza and Steel Magnolias. Her career achieved household name status in the 1990s, for her roles in famous romantic comedies. Pretty Woman, My Best Friend's Wedding, Runaway Bride, and Notting Hill. The actress also stood out in several dramas and psychological thrillers, from Flatliners to Sleeping with the enemy. Most recently, she starred in the 2023 Netflix film Leave the world behind. Roberts would have invested his own energy into the role, and it may even have changed the early trajectory of his career.
1
Robin Williams
Williams almost took on the role of Venkman
The late beloved Robin Williams was already considered for the role of Venkman. Williams was known for his fantastic career in films across a wide variety of genres, from action, adventure to drama and comedy. The Oscar winner starred as an unorthodox but inspiring professor in 1989. Dead Poets Societyand went out to bring humor and heart to Mrs.Jumanji and The Cage. Williams later took on another academic role as a Harvard professor in Goodwill Hunt starring opposite young Matt Damon and Ben Affleck.
Williams worked at Night at the museum franchise, playing President Teddy Roosevelt as New York City's Museum of Natural History comes to life at night. He was an active actor until he died by suicide in 2014. Given Williams' heart and versatility, he would have played Venkmansteh differently than Murray, but did the Ghostbusters equally memorable role for generations of audiences.
Sources: The New York Times, IndieWire, I'm Chevy Chase... and you're not, Yahoo News