15 Facts About Ghostbusters That Will Take You Back to the ’80s

Upon its release in 1984, “Ghostbusters” became a cultural phenomenon. The film was packed with one-liners and had an iconic theme song that people still reference today. This movie defined a generation and set the stage for a franchise that continues to entice fans today. Beneath its humorous exterior lies a history filled with behind-the-scenes tidbits and intriguing revelations. Find out what they are with these 15 fascinating Ghostbusters facts.

Casey Kasem’s Cameo Adds A Familiar Voice

Radio personality Casey Kasem provides a voice cameo in Ghostbusters during a news broadcast segment. He also voiced Shaggy in Scooby-Doo, and his inclusion adds a fun nod to supernatural investigations, though, unlike Scooby-Doo, the Ghostbusters face real paranormal threats rather than debunking them.

The Original Script Was Much Bigger In Scale

Aykroyd’s initial concept for Ghostbusters was wildly ambitious. The script was set in the future with multiple Ghostbuster teams battling across dimensions, including large-scale monsters like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. However, changes were needed to bring the film in a more managable budget of $30 million.

Phone Line Promotion Boosted Interest During Theatrical Release

To keep the excitement alive during the film’s release, director Ivan Reitman replaced the Ghostbusters’ fictional 555 number with a real 1-800 line in the promotional trailer. Fans who called heard a pre-recorded message from Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd, resulting in 1,000 calls per hour for weeks.

John Belushi’s Spirit Lives On As Slimer

After John Belushi’s untimely death, his close friend Dan Aykroyd paid tribute by basing the gluttonous ghost, Slimer, on Belushi’s larger-than-life persona. The character’s design reflects Belushi’s “party guy” reputation, making Slimer a fitting homage to the late comedian despite his absence from the film.

Dan Aykroyd’s Family Inspired The Paranormal Theme

Dan Aykroyd’s fascination with the supernatural was rooted in his family history. His great-grandfather was a psychic investigator, and his father kept a large library on paranormal topics. This background gave Aykroyd the idea for Ghostbusters, combining his family’s interest in the spirit world with his comedic skills.

Rick Moranis Improvised As Louis Tully

Rick Moranis, who replaced John Candy as Louis Tully, brought his own comedic flair to the role. Originally, Candy envisioned the character as a strict German with dogs, but Moranis transformed him into the lovable nerd. His improvisational skills were so important, he even provided his own wardrobe.

Egon Spengler’s Name Has Unique Origins

Harold Ramis named his character Egon Spengler after combining the names of a Hungarian classmate and a German philosopher. He took the character’s appearance from an unknown figure on the cover of an architectural journal, giving Egon his distinct look that perfectly suited the geeky scientist persona.

Many Iconic New York Locations Were Replicated Elsewhere

Though Ghostbusters is closely associated with New York, many scenes were filmed elsewhere. The famous firehouse’s interiors were shot in Los Angeles, while the rooftop temple was built on a soundstage. Even the library scene was partially filmed at the Los Angeles Public Library, not the New York Public Library.

Ecto-1 Was The Only Car Built For Filming

Unlike many films that use multiple cars, only one Ecto-1 was used in Ghostbusters. The 1959 Cadillac ambulance frequently broke down during production. Fortunately, its final malfunction happened after filming had wrapped in New York, so the vehicle’s limited reliability didn’t disrupt important scenes in the movie.

Sigourney Weaver’s Audition Stood Out

To land the role of Dana Barrett, Sigourney Weaver took an unconventional approach in her audition. She mimicked turning into a dog, snarling and crawling on the casting couch. Her performance impressed director Ivan Reitman because it showed her acting versatility and secured her a role in the film.

Slimer’s Special Effects Used a Painted Peanut

With a tight production schedule, the special effects team had to improvise. For one scene where Slimer zooms around a chandelier, the team spray-painted a peanut green to simulate the ghost’s rapid movement. The small, quick-thinking solution was used in the final cut, which showed the creativity behind the effects.

Original Budget and Timeline Were Extremely Tight

When pitching Ghostbusters to Columbia Pictures, Ivan Reitman estimated the budget at $30 million and agreed to have the film ready within a year. The tight timeline forced the cast and crew into a rushed production, including a three-week writing retreat to complete the script and a scramble to finish effects.

John Candy’s Version Of Louis Tully Would Have Been Very Different

John Candy, originally cast as Louis Tully, imagined the character as a German with an eccentric love of dogs. When Candy requested significant changes to the script, the filmmakers passed on him, offering the role to Rick Moranis instead, who redefined Louis as a quirky, socially awkward accountant.

Stay Puft Marshmallow Man Was Nearly Cut

The now-iconic Stay Puft Marshmallow Man almost didn’t make it into the film. Initially envisioned as one of many large-scale monsters in Aykroyd’s original script, the character was retained for the final climax after the story was scaled down. The Marshmallow Man became one of the most popular figures in the film. 

The Ghostbusters Headquarters Is A Real Firehouse

The outside shots of the Ghostbusters’ headquarters were filmed at Hook & Ladder 8, a functioning firehouse in New York City’s Tribeca neighborhood. Despite its cinematic fame, the interior scenes were shot in a decommissioned fire station in Los Angeles. These locations made the movie more authentic.