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After some months of confusion over the status of the long-awaited third Ghostbusters film, star Dan Aykroyd has suggested that the movie may start filming next spring – with or without Bill Murray.

Talking on The Dennis Miller Show, Aykroyd said, “Yes, we will be doing the movie and hopefully with Mr. Murray. That is our hope. We have an excellent script.” He pointed out that the film could survive without Murray’s involvement. “What we have to remember is that Ghostbusters is bigger than any one component, although Billy was absolutely the lead and contributive to it in a massive way, as was the director [Ivan Reitman] and Harold [Ramis], myself and Sigourney Weaver. The concept is much larger than any individual role and the promise of Ghostbusters 3 is that we get to hand the equipment and the franchise down to new blood.”

The new blood will consist of “three guys and a young woman,” partly because his character, Ray, “is now blind in one eye and can’t drive the Cadillac. He’s got a bad knee and can’t carry the packs.” Although no casting decisions have been made, Aykroyd suggested that Criminal Minds’ Matthew Gray Gubler might be involved. However, there is no confirmation as to whether Ernie Hudson will be reprising his role.