The original 1984Ghostbusterswas almost very, very different thanks to a few almost-castings that didn’t happen. The beloved filmcontinues to be iconic for its humorous look at the supernatural,and unique tonal storytelling within that genre.Ghostbustersstarred Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Sigourney Weaver, Harold Ramis, Rick Moranis, Annie Potts, William Atherton, Ernie Hudson, and more. However, a number of the roles in the beloved cult classic film were almost played by other acclaimed actors.
The1980s saw a boom in franchise films, includingGhostbusters. Many of these franchises started the careers of some of Hollywood’s most beloved stars. Several actors who turned downGhostbusterswent on to star in their own massively successful franchises, most notablyJurassic Park, Beetlejuice,and several others. Without its iconic cast,Ghostbusterswould not have become the cult classic it is today.
8Michael Keaton
Keaton Was Considered For The Role Of Peter Venkman
Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning actorMichael Keaton was considered for the role of Venkman, which ultimately went to Bill Murray. Keaton was one of several actors to turn down the role, upon reading an early version of the script that once lacked the comic relief that continues to earnGhostbusterspraise today. He went on to star in a number of successful blockbuster projects throughout the 1980s, notably the cult classic comedy-horrorBeetlejuiceand the titularBatman. The actor additionally starred in a number of successful dramas, includingClean and Sober.
He later appeared alongside Emma Thompson, Kenneth Branagh, Denzel Washington, Keanu Reeves, and more in the 1993 adaptation of Shakespeare’sMuch Ado About Nothing.The late 1990s and 2000s saw the actor perform in a number of family movies, includingHerbie Fully Loaded, Jack Frost, First Daughter, and more.Keaton’s vast experience across different film genres, even early in his career, would still have made him a solid fit for the role of VenkmaninGhostbusters.
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Venkman’s character holds Ph.D.s in parapsychology and psychology and is a professor at Columbia University. The character’shumorous sarcasm and disinterest in the ghost busting the movie suggests make him the perfect addition to an often overzealous gangof supernatural hunters. He is often more interested in flirting with his female clientele than actually busting the ghosts he was hired to find. This running joke remains one of the film’s many sources of comic relief.
7Tom Hanks
Hanks Was Also Considered For Venkman’s Role
Tom Hanks is now a two-time Academy Award winner, a seven-time Emmy Award winner, a five-time Golden Globe winner, and a 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 Hanks would have starred inGhostbusters,he instead starred inSplash,a 1984 romantic comedy film about a man who falls in love with a mermaid named Madison (Darryl Hannah).
Hanks went on to become known as one of the best romantic comedy actors of his generation, appearing in Nora Ephron’sSleepless in Seattle, andYou’ve Got Mail. Hanks is also known for his impactful roles in historical dramas, notably the Academy Award-winningPhiladelphia,which stars Hanks as a gay lawyer battling AIDS as he sues his own firm for discrimination. Hanks later starred as the titularForrest Gump, which saw the character through several pivotal moments in history. Hanks has more than proven his acting prowess, but his sincerity would not have delivered the same dry sarcasm as Murray’s Venkman.
6John Candy
Candy Was Offered The Role Of Louis Tully
Comedian and actor John Candy turned down the role of Louis Tullyafter his ideas for the script were rejected. The role ultimately went to Rick Moranis. Louis' character is the quirky next door neighbor to Dana. He becomes possessed by Vinz Clortho, who, along with Zuul, opens the interdimensional gate to bring Gozer the Gozerian, God of destruction, forth. This makes Louis patient zero for the titularGhostbusters.
Candy starred alongside fellow almost-Ghostbuster Tom Hanks inSplash,and Bill Murray in 1981’sStripesprior toGhostbusters. He most famously appeared opposite Steve Martin in the heartwarming holiday filmPlanes, 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 his father suffered the same fate (viaThe New York Times).
5Jeff Goldblum
Goldblum Was Offered The Role Of Egon Spengler
Acclaimed actorJeff Goldblum was offered the role of Egon Spengler, the professor whose studies created the framework for the titularGhostbustersghost-busting system. Spengler’s humorous lack of social skills outside of academia are a part of the character’s charm. He is entirely oblivious to Janine Melnitz’s romantic interest in him. Spengler is one of the titular four Ghostbusters, and the role ultimately went to Harold Ramis.
Goldblum turned down the role of Spengler before starring in a number of science fiction films throughout the 1980s. This all culminated inhis role as a much more charismatic academic inJurassic Parkopposite Laura Dern. While his role as Dr. Ian Malcolm saw the actor step into the shoes of a chaos scientist and mathematician, Goldblum’s charisma might not have carried the awkwardness needed for Spengler.
Goldblum went on to forge an incredibly successful career, frequently collaborating with director Wes Anderson onThe Grand Budapest Hotel, Isle of Dogs, Asteroid City,and more. He has also appeared in a number of popular television shows, includingWill & GraceandGlee. He is soon to appear in one of the biggest films of 2024, the much-anticipated film adaptation of the long-running Broadway musicalWicked.
4Chevy Chase
Chase Was Offered The Role Of Venkman
OriginalSaturday Night Livecast member and acclaimed actor-comedianChevy Chase claims to have turned down the role of Venkmanin Ghostbusters (viaIndieWire). Chase claimed to have seen an early version of the script in which the film fell further into the horror genre than the comedy it turned out to be. Despite turning it down, Chase remained confident in his choice.
Chase once hosted the “Weekend Update” segment ofSaturday Night Live, which is currently hosted by Michael Che and Colin Jost. Chase went on to have an illustrious career in the film and television world. Among his most popular films areNational Lampoon’s Vacation,!Three Amigos!, Snow Day,and more. Chase played the drums in The Leather Canary alongside Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, who went on to form the legendary jazz band Steely Dan. Chase once claimed to have perfect pitch in his memoir (viaI’m Chevy Chase…And You’re Not).
3Eddie Murphy
Murphy Was Considered For The Role Of Winston Zeddemore
Ernie Hudson played Winston Zeddmore inGhostbusters,but Eddie Murphy was once considered for the part.The script was reportedly changed after Murphy turned down the role. Zeddmore is often the voice of reason for the group, as he does not have a scientific background and thus has more real-world experience outside the bubble of academia. While the part is humorous, Murphy definitely could have offered a different take.
Murphy went on to become a Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning actor. He began his career in stand-up comedy in the 1980s, appearing in a number of films, includingBeverly Hills Cop. Murphy’s film career soared to new heights in the 1990s, when he starred inThe Nutty Professorand voiced Mushu in Disney’sMulan. Murphy’s distinct voice paved the way for a number of other notable voice acting roles, including Donkey in Dreamworks’Shrek.Murphy finally dipped a toe into the paranormal with the 2003 filmThe Haunted Mansion.
2Julia Roberts
Roberts Almost Played Dana Barrett
Dana Barrett, Louis Tully’s neighbor inGhostbusters, quickly finds herself enraptured in the group’s exploits. Her apartment building turned out to be the portal for the demon who possessed Louis in the first film, and she finds herself connected to the group throughout the franchise. Dana later marries Venkman. The role ultimately went to actress Sigourney Weaver, who, up until 1984, had predominantly starred in drama films, and was initially hesitant to audition.
Julia Roberts was also in the audition room(viaYahoo News). Throughout the 1980s, Roberts went on to most famously star inMystic PizzaandSteel Magnolias. Her career reached household name status in the 1990s, for her roles in famous romantic comediesPretty Woman, My Best Friend’s Wedding, Runaway Bride,andNotting Hill. The actress additionally made a name for herself in several dramas and psychological thrillers, fromFlatlinerstoSleeping With The Enemy. She most recently starred in the 2023 Netflix filmLeave The World Behind.Roberts would have bought her own energy into the role, and it may have even changed the early trajectory of her career.
1Robin Williams
Williams Nearly Took On The Role Of Venkman
The beloved lateRobin Williams was once considered for the role of Venkman. Williams was known for his fantastic career in films across a wide array of genres, from action adventure to drama and comedy. The Academy Award winner famously starred as an unorthodox yet inspirational teacher in 1989’sDead Poets Society, and went forth to bring humor and heart toMrs. Doubtfire, Jumanji, and The Birdcage. Williams later took on another scholarly role as a Harvard professor inGood Will Huntingopposite a young Matt Damon and Ben Affleck.
Williams worked on theNight At The Museumfranchise, playing President Teddy Roosevelt as New York City’s Museum of Natural History comes to life at night. He was a working actor until he died by suicide in 2014. Given Williams' heart and versatility, he would have played Venkmansteh differently than Murray, butmade theGhostbustersrole just as memorable for generations of audiences.
Ghostbusters
Cast
Ghostbusters is a 2016 film following paranormal enthusiasts Erin Gilbert and Abby Yates, nuclear engineer Jillian Holtzmann, and subway worker Patty Tolan as they unite to combat a ghost invasion threatening Manhattan.
