The new Ghostbusters is dividing fans directly down the middle. Some are excited to see the franchise return, while others are horrified by the casting choices and director. What a lot of the hate boils down to is, longtime fanatics simply wanted to see the original cast return. Which became increasingly less viable once star Harold Ramis passed away and Bill Murray seemed adamant not to participate. It's unlikely that Bill Murray would have starred in a true sequel to the 1984 Ghostbusters. But he is showing up for a few scenes in the remake. So at least fans can appreciate that. But it almost didn't happen. Why did Bill Murray finally agree to sign on?

Bill Murray spoke with Vulture about his participation in Sony's new all-female Ghostbusters remake. The movie is being directed by Paul Feig, and has been described as a complete reboot of the series, which spawned one sequel and an animated series back in the 1980s. The main cast of the new movie is made up of four Saturday Night Live cast members, some past, some present, with Kristen Wiig, Leslie Jones, Kate McKinnon and Cecily Strong. But it's Melissa McCarthy who is leading the charge. She is someone Bill Murray refers to as a 'great hope'. After claiming he would not show up for Ghostbusters 3, Bill Murray had this to say about finally accepting a cameo role.

"I thought about it for a very long time. 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]."

Bill Murray will not be playing Venkman in the all-female Ghostbusters. None of those original characters exist in this universe. Instead, he will star as a man out to debunk the girls and their ghosts theories. About working with the lady Ghostbusters, Bill Murray had noting but praise for his co-stars.

"You know, they were incredibly nice to ask me, and I really enjoyed being there. They have such a jolly group, and they are going to have great success with this project. I didn't want to overshadow [them] or anything, and I feel really good about it."

Bill Murray openly admits that he had no intentions of returning for a true Ghostbusters sequel. But this was different. And he didn't have to strap on the proton pack again. About his ultimate decision to return to the franchise, he stated.

"I like those girls a lot. I mean, I really do. They are tough to say no to. And Paul is a real nice fellow."

Bill Murray has already finished his cameo on Ghostbusters. The actor shot his scenes in Boston earlier this month. Paul Feig and his cast will continue shooting on location in Boston and New York throughout September. The remake will also feature a cameo from other original Ghostbuster Dan Aykroyd, who is playing a cab driver. There has been no mention of Ernie Hudson's participation, though he mouthed off in the press about the all-female Ghostbusters, calling it a really bad idea. He later apologized. What do you think? Are you more open to this reboot knowing that some of the original participants are involved? Or are you determined to hate it until opening day?