Key Takeaways:
• 1984 supernatural comedy, Ghostbusters, a cultural phenomenon, could have had a different cast, including the character Peter Venkman.
• The late actor-comedian John Belushi, Robin Williams, Tom Hanks, Michael Keaton, Chevy Chase, and Steve Guttenberg were considered for Peter Venkman’s role before it went to Bill Murray.
• Specific details about why these actors didn’t eventually join the Ghostbusters cast remain unclear.
Ghostbusters Casting Could Have Taken a Different Route
Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters! This legendary line from the cult classic Ghostbusters franchise still resonates with fans. However, imagine if someone other than Bill Murray had delivered it. According to recent revelations, several big Hollywood names were considered for the role of Peter Venkman before it went to Bill Murray.
The late John Belushi was initially considered for the role. However, after his tragic demise in 1982, other notable actors were considered, including Robin Williams, Tom Hanks, Michael Keaton, Chevy Chase, and Steve Guttenberg.
Role of Peter Venkman: Almost Played by Robin Williams
The versatile Hollywood star Robin Williams – considered one of the all-time greats – was under consideration for Peter Venkman’s charismatic, ghost-busting role. While it’s intriguing to think of Williams in this role, the exact details surrounding the proposal and why Williams didn’t secure a spot in the final Ghostbusters cast remain somewhat elusive.
Tom Hanks: A Potential Peter Venkman?
Tom Hanks, another famed Hollywood name, was also in the pool of potential Peter Venkmans. At the time, Hanks was rather new to the industry but was still being considered for the leading man position. However, as with Williams, the specifics of Hanks’ potential casting remain a bit of a mystery.
Michael Keaton’s Near-Miss with Ghostbusters
According to Collider, Michael Keaton, known for his comedic performances in the early ’80s, was also in the running for Peter Venkman’s role. Before his famed stint as Batman in 1989, Keaton could have been a part of the ghost-busting team. Keaton was also in the running for the part of Egon Spengler, which eventually went to the late Harold Ramis.
Chevy Chase and Ghostbusters: What Could Have Been
Chevy Chase, who shared screen space with Bill Murray in 1980’s Caddyshack, was also considered for the character of Peter Venkman. Unfortunately, concrete details are unavailable, but it can be speculated that his collaboration with Dan Aykroyd on Saturday Night Live in the 1970s might have made him a fitting candidate.
Steve Guttenberg and the Mystery of the Un-passed Role
Finally, Steve Guttenberg, known for his role in Police Academy, may or may not have turned down the offer for the role of Peter Venkman. This particular casting story is a little entrancing as Guttenberg insists he never passed on the role and, in fact, he maintains that Bill Murray was “a billion times better” for the part.
More Ghostbusters to Come
Despite the what-ifs and could-have-beens, the Ghostbusters franchise remains a pop culture staple. With the new sequel, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, set to release on March 22, 2024, and the original film back on Hulu, fans can still enjoy the original cast and eagerly await what’s to come.
