Bill Murray Talks Return To Ghostbusters: 'It Kept Eating At Me'

Hollywood legend Bill Murray has opened up for the first time about his shock decision to return to the rebooted Ghostbusters film franchise after years of publicly stating his disinterest in revisiting the classic '80s movies. 

Fans understandably lost their minds when it was announced last month that the 64-year-old actor had been confirmed to make an appearance in next year's all-female installment and speaking to Vulture, Murray revealed it was in fact the cast, specifically lead actresses Kristen Wiig and Melissa McCarthy, who he called "a great hope", that attracted him to the idea of returning. 

"I like those girls a lot," Murray said. 

"I mean, I really do. They are tough to say no to. And [director Paul Feig] is a real nice fellow."

And while he has previously spoken quite negatively about a third Ghostbusters film in years past, Murray admitted it has always played on his mind. 

"I thought about it for a very long time," he said.

"Like, many, many months. No, that’s not right. I was seriously thinking about this for years, really...It kept eating at me, and I really respect those girls. And then I started to feel like if I didn't do this movie, maybe somebody would write a bad review or something, thinking there was some sort of disapproval [on my part]."

While it is yet to be confirmed, it has been rumoured that Murray will return not as his beloved character of Dr Venkman, but rather a character who is determined to bring down the new crew.

Fellow cast member Dan Aykroyd also revealed last month that he will make a cameo in the film due out in cinemas on July 22 2016.