Bill Murray shows off his classic comedic touch by hamming it up at premiere of Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire in NYC

Many of the star-studded cast and crew of Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire had its world premiere at AMC Lincoln Square New York in New York City.

The new supernatural comedy film, the direct sequel to Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021) and the fifth in the film franchise, reunites OG Ghostbusters stars of yesteryear with newer cast members.

Bill Murray, who led the cast of the original Ghostbusters (1984), was all smiles as he walked to the red carpet for a series of photos, including an arm-in-arm hug with his Frozen Empire counterpart, Paul. Rud.

The actor, who plays Dr. Peter Venkman, who stars in four of the five films in the franchise, looked casual-cool in blue pants, a matching polo shirt, a dark brown blazer and black boots. mood, smiling and laughing with his colleagues.

He seemed to smile and laugh even harder when he was greeted by Rudd, who has topped the Ghostbusters tent for Afterlife and the brand new Frozen Empire.

In true Murray fashion, the actor and comedian showed off his comedic side by making funny faces as he posed on the red carpet

On this day, Murray stepped out for the celebration with his gray cropped hair and a close-cropped beard and moustache.

At some point, Murray and Rudd met in person and the two men proceeded to put on a show of their own, with the film’s leading man grabbing his co-star by the neck as he came in for a closer look. .

Rudd, 54, looked handsome in a dark blue suit with a light blue shirt, dark blue tie and black dress shoes.

Like his friend and colleague, the Ant-Man star also went to the big premiere event in Manhattan with a full beard and mustache.

Before heading inside for a screening, the two leads were joined by other cast members for a group photo with co-stars.

For the new sequel, the story picks up years after the apocalyptic deity Gozer The Gozerian once again stops in Summerville, Oklahoma, as the veteran Ghostbusters must join forces with their new recruits to save the world in New York City from a powerful, death-defying adversary who, according to him, is trying to build a ghost army Wikipedia.

Rudd, Murray, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace, Celeste O’Connor and Logan Kim are among the actors set to reprise their roles from Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021), which was a hit with moviegoers and grossed $204.3 million on the global box. office against a budget of $75 million.

Murray from the original cast was joined by Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Annie Potts and William Atherton, who reprized their characters from the earlier films.

Directed by Gil Kenan, who co-wrote the screenplay with Jason Reitman, who happens to be the son of the late Ivan Reitman, director of the original hit Ghostbusters (1984), written by Aykroyd and the late Harold Ramis.

Bill Murray, 73, couldn’t help the look of joy on his face as he reunited with the cast of the new supernatural comedy film Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire at AMC Lincoln Square New York in New York City on Thursday

Murray seemed to smile and laugh even harder when he was greeted by Paul Rudd, who has topped the Ghostbusters tent for Afterlife and the brand new Frozen Empire

The two actors stopped playing with each other long enough to pose for a photo

The former Saturday Night Live star has appeared in all five Ghostbusters films, although he had a smaller and different role in the reboot Ghostbusters (2016).

Murray and Rudd were due to join some of their colleagues for a group photo; Murray is seen at left with Emily Alyn Lind, Rudd, Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace, Celeste O’Connor, Logan Kim, Gil Kenan, Carrie Coon, Ernie Hudson and Dan Aykroyd

Murray’s career in film and television dates back to the early 1970s

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire premieres in theaters on March 22

Kumail Nanjiani and Patton Oswalt are among those who are newcomers to the cast of characters over the course of the franchise that stretches back to the original, which became somewhat of a cultural phenomenon, earning $295.2 million while working on a budget of just $ 25-30. million. That translates, with inflation since 1984, to almost $882 million.

The sequel Ghostbusters II (1989), which brought back original stars Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver, Harold Ramis, Rick Moranis, Ernie Hudson and Annie Potts, was another hit with fans, grossing $215.4 million while he spent $30-40 million. on production.

The reboot of the franchise, Ghostbusters (2016), also known as Ghostbusters: Answer The Call, starring Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones, Charles Dance, Michael K. Williams and Chris Hemsworth, was not that big of a hit with fans, but still earned $229.1 million against a much larger budget of $144 million.

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire will have its big premiere in theaters on March 22.