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Eddie Murphy & John Belushi Were Confirmed as Original First Choices for “Ghostbusters”
The iconic 1984 film Ghostbusters has long been celebrated as a cornerstone of comedy and pop culture, but a recent revelation has shed new light on what could have been. In an episode of Netflix’s The Movies That Made Us, Dan Aykroyd, one of the film’s creators, writers, and stars, shared a fascinating tidbit about the original casting plans for the beloved ghost-hunting team. According to Aykroyd, the roles were initially envisioned for Eddie Murphy and John Belushi, his fellow Saturday Night Live (SNL) alumni, alongside himself.
Aykroyd revealed, “I wrote it for Eddie Murphy. It was me, John Belushi, and Eddie Murphy. We were supposed to be the original Ghostbusters.” This revelation offers a tantalizing glimpse into an alternate version of the film that could have been, with Murphy and Belushi bringing their unique comedic talents to the paranormal adventure. However, as fate would have it, the casting took a different turn, leading to the legendary lineup of Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, and Ernie Hudson.
Murphy, who was riding high on his success from SNL and his breakout film roles in 48 Hrs. and Trading Places, was reportedly unimpressed with the script. In a 2003 interview, Murphy recalled his reaction to the project, stating, “This sounds like a crock … to me.” His lack of enthusiasm led him to pass on the role, which ultimately went to Bill Murray. Murray’s portrayal of Dr. Peter Venkman became one of the film’s defining elements, cementing his status as a comedy legend.
Tragically, John Belushi, who was Aykroyd’s close friend and collaborator, was never able to consider the role. Belushi passed away in 1982 due to combined drug intoxication, leaving a void in the comedy world and in Aykroyd’s original vision for Ghostbusters. At the time of Belushi’s death, Aykroyd was still working on the script with Harold Ramis, who would later step into the role of Dr. Egon Spengler, replacing Belushi onscreen.
The final casting choices proved to be a stroke of genius, as the chemistry between Murray, Aykroyd, Ramis, and Hudson helped propel Ghostbusters to become a cultural phenomenon. The film’s blend of humor, supernatural thrills, and memorable one-liners has ensured its enduring legacy. Yet, the revelation about Murphy and Belushi’s involvement adds a fascinating layer to the film’s history, sparking endless “what if” discussions among fans.
As the Ghostbusters franchise continues to evolve, with a sequel to the original film announced in January 2020 and released later that summer, Aykroyd’s revelation serves as a reminder of the serendipitous nature of Hollywood casting. While Murphy and Belushi’s version of Ghostbusters remains a tantalizing “what could have been,” the film we know and love stands as a testament to the power of collaboration, creativity, and a little bit of ghostbusting magic.
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Mo’Nique’s Dating Advice Echoes Loud After Rape Allegations Surface
You can always count on Mo’Nique to keep it real, funny, fierce, and flat-out real with no chaser, and this time around, she’s taking the mic and training it on Shannon Sharpe with a little retroactive guidance. Mo’Nique made a nightclub a laughing matter out of the Sharpe situation at a recent stand-up set, which is under a lawsuit for alleged rape with Gabriella Zuniga. Mo’Nique’s warning to Sharpe on his Club Shay Shay podcast in February 2024 has a different sting now. The viral clip making the rounds again features a woman who most definitely saw the warning signs and tried to steer him away from them.
“Shannon need him an old fat gal,” she quipped in a moment that was both hilarious and devastating cultural commentary. “One that can bake, rub feet, sip cognac and bring peace, not problems.” Mo’Nique’s comments were infused with genuine unease about the way that older men treat much younger women in the complicated dating world of today. Mo’Nique assumed the role of the no-nonsense auntie Sharpe, so obviously needed. Her delivery was typically hilarious, but the sentiment was pure wisdom. This week’s developments have put that lighthearted podcast moment in a new context. Mo’Nique’s remarks were about emotional and social maturity, especially on the part of men who held power.
Check out this article: Shannon Sharpe’s Former Stylist Hints At Past Cover-Ups Amid Assault Allegations
And today, with public opinion in an uproar over Sharpe and his behavior, Mo’Nique’s words are like a warning bell that went ignored. And she knows it. That stand-up set was anger disguised as a joke. It was a woman with a mirror saying, “I tried to tell you.” At a time when cancellations are swift and forgiveness even swifter to wash over and cover up, Mo’Nique’s mix of comedy and caution feels like a powerful, if not novel, force. Whether Sharpe will take her advice or not, however, remains to be seen, but Mo’Nique did tell him so.
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G Herbo Opens Up About Ari Fletcher’s “Terrible Dad” Remark
In his deep thoughts on a recent episode of BET’s For The Fellas, G Herbo reflects on an emotional scene from the reality series The Impact ATL in this heartwarming talk. The rapper was responding to an inflammatory comment from his ex, Ari Fletcher, who accused Famous Dex of being a “terrible dad” during a heated exchange on the show. The comment came after Fletcher vented about Herbo leaving their son Yosohn’s birthday party early and being absent at the boy’s graduation. While the words cut deep, G Herbo hasn’t shied away from expressing his feelings about the situation. He was open in his admission of his faults and that he wasn’t perfect.
He added that Fletcher’s words also included emotional reactions and stupidity at the moment, which is common to feel in the heat of the moment. In a recent clip from The Impact ATL, Ari Fletcher slowed things down while talking about how she and the rapper work together as coparents. She added that despite their disagreements, she does not actually think that Herbo is a bad parent. Acknowledging his consistent commitment and love for their child, Fletcher apologized for letting her emotions cloud her words and said her “terrible dad” remark had been in the heat of the moment rather than a mean dig at his fathering. G Herbo also shared these same thoughts during his turn on For The Fellas, noting that while he didn’t take the “bad dad” line to heart, he knew where Ari was coming from.
Check out this article: Taina Williams Teases Ari Fletcher Over Sweet Bond with Her Son
He said he knew that co-parenting is not always easy, particularly between two high-strung people. Despite their ups and downs, Herbo, 24, stressed that there will always be love between the pair, especially when it comes to their joint commitment to Yosohn’s well-being. This heart to heart between the former lovers is a sign of their maturing coparenting relationship. Their history with each other might be rocky, but there is a mutual respect and understanding between G Herbo and Ari Fletcher now. More complex though their journey has been, that their love for their son is stronger than any misunderstanding is a positive when so much of the world is confusing.
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