TIFF 2014: Bill Murray and Ivan Reitman discuss Ghostbusters and more!

September 5th 2014, 8:45pm

Our own Chris Bumbray is at the Toronto International Film Festival and got the chance to sit in on the GHOSTBUSTERS screening and Q&A, which was attended by Bill Murray, Ivan Reitman, and screenwriter Mitch Glazer (SCROOGED). In case you didn’t know, TIFF declared September 5th “Bill Murray day” to celebrate the veteran actor’s career. The sometimes hard to find Murray was actually there to take part in the celebration of himself. We have some interesting notes and quotes to pass along from the event.

Murray, who rarely gives interviews, had some pretty interesting tidbits to share about himself and fellow actors he’s worked with. Although nothing was brought up about the upcoming GHOSTBUSTERS 3, Murray and Reitman reminisced about the making of GHOSTBUSTERS, Harold Ramis, the cast, how it was made, and more. If you're a fan of the film, Murray, Reitman, or all of them, then there's definitely some fun and interesting tidbits to take away from the screening.

Here's the bullet points:

Murray asked, and got Prince's Raspberry Beret as his intro music. He came out singing it (because he can).
He saw GHOSTBUSTERS for the first time over Thanksgiving at Reitman's house with no SFX. He knew then it would be amazing. He came back late to the set and with an attitude; he'd never have to be on time again.
He knew while shooting it he'd be "rich and famous", and that "[he] could wear red and not give a damn!" (check out the red pants in the above photo as evidence).
He just worked on ROCK THE KASBAH (written by Glazer) and thinks it's one of the best he's ever done; it gave him the sme feeling he felt working on GHOSTBUSTERS.
Reitman, who also sat in on the screening, marveled at Sigourney Weaver and Murray's timing. He also revealed that the original treatment by Dan Aykroyd took place in Space.
Reitman asked Murray about ST. VINCENT saying "it's a story about you and a young boy." Murray did a double-take and replied "that doesn't sound right". Glazer added "ST. VINCENT is as if the counsellor from MEATBALLS had just been drinking for 30 years".
How did he spend Bill Murray day? Went to see Kristen Wiig's WELCOME TO ME. Loved it. Said it was amazing and that he was still thinking about it now.
Finally he recommended a couple of comedies that people don't see very often; SMALL CHANGE and JOHNNY STECCHINO starring Roberto Benigni who also wrote and directed the movie.

It's great to hear Bill Murray reminisce about his past work like this; over the years I started to think Murray was becoming kind of grumpy, there are only so many times a guy can be asked about GHOSTUBUSTERS 3 right? He really seemed to have a lot of fun on his special day with him and Reitman watching and talking GHOSTBUSTERS, about one of the best comedies of all time.

Be sure to check out Chris's TIFF coverage here and we'll have a review of Murray's latest, ST. VINCENT, up tonight. Reitman is next rumored to be working on a TWINS sequel, entitled TRIPLETS. Murray and Glazer reteam next with Barry Levinson's ROCK THE KASBAH, expected to be released in April 2015.

Here's some pics of the fans that rocked it out for the event. Nothing like a little GHOSTBUSTERS "spirit"