After more than a year of rumors and rumblings from Bill Murray about "Ghostbusters 3," it's finally official: the actor will not be starring in a new installment of the supernatural comedy classic. Co-star — and co-writer on the first two films — Dan Aykroyd kept us hopeful and on the hook for what felt like ages, but Dr. Raymond Stantz has finally admitted that Murray will not make the movie.

While in London to promote his vodka brand Crystal Head, Aykroyd told The Telegraph that although there's interest from the studio to pursue part three, "it’s a surety that Bill Murray will not do the movie." He went on to say that the project at this point is in "suspended animation," and cited Murray's preference for a quiet life of family and golf as part of the reason for not committing.

Rumors surrounding the project have varied from the bizarre — with chatter about Murray shredding the new script and mailing it back to co-star and co-writer Harold Ramis — to the unlikely. For a spell there was talk about a female version of "Ghostbusters," with "Dollhouse's" Eliza Dushku and Alyssa Milano donning the power packs. There was even a rumor about Murray returning to the franchise as a ghost. "We’re not going to do a movie that exploits the franchise," Aykroyd confirmed. This is exactly why we hope he pours one out for part three and gracefully lets it go.

Let us know if you agree that a new "Ghostbusters" shouldn't proceed without Murray (or possibly at all). Then, head past the break for a look at more of this week's horror news.

New Still from Tim Burton's 'Frankenweenie' Trailer Arrives Today

The trailer for Tim Burton's 3D remake of his 1984 short film, "Frankenweenie," premieres today. While we wait to see what the stop-motion animated, monster-inspired film looks like, a new still has arrived to whet our appetite. Dread Central shared the image, and yep, it looks like a Tim Burton movie. "Frankenweenie" tells the story of Victor who loses his pet pooch Sparky. The boy brings him back to life, but uses horror movies as his reference point. When Sparky is resurrected from the grave, he's monstrously unpredictable. Burton regulars Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara, Martin Short, and Martin Landau lend their vocal talents to the feature. "Frankenweenie" hits theaters on October 5.

Peter Jackson's West Memphis Three Doc Gets Distribution

The Peter Jackson-produced "West of Memphis" — based on the real-life case of three teenagers who were wrongly convicted for a series of grisly child murders — has been picked up for distribution. According to Deadline, the documentary being directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Amy Berg — which is produced by the "Lord of the Rings" director as well as Damien Echols (one of the boys who was sentenced) — has found a new home at Sony Pictures Classics. The film centers on the most recent investigation surrounding the controversial case. Echols, Jason Baldwin, and Jessie Misskelley, Jr. were recently released from prison after an 18-year sentence, serving time for the suspected murder of three Arkansas boys. Their story inspired several impassioned documentaries including "Paradise Lost," which propelled their case for freedom. "West of Memphis" further explores the flaws in the investigation and shares personal stories from Echols who fought hard to save his own life.

'Aliens' Star Bill Paxton Joins 'The Colony'

Bill Paxton makes everything better. The talented "Near Dark" and "Aliens" actor will be starring in "The Colony." He joins the previously announced Laurence Fishburne and Kevin Zegers for a story about a small group of survivors coping with the aftermath of an apocalyptic ice age. Underground, they fight to survive, but end up battling each other as society disintegrates into cannibalism and violence. Hopefully there will be a zany Paxton freakout moment somewhere in there, too.

Sam Raimi's 'Day of the Triffids' Remake One Step Closer to Completion

The 1962 British sci-fi/horror film "The Day of the Triffids" — based on a novel by John Wyndham — is being remade, with horror vet Sam Raimi producing. One of the strangest baddies in horror history, Triffids are experimental, plant-like aliens capable of moving — and more importantly — killing. "Luther" writer Neil Cross will be penning the remake screenplay. With "Evil Dead" director Raimi on-board, what could be an embarrassing retelling may actually be fun and terrifying. Are you game for an army of killer plants?

Nicole Kidman to Star in Memory Loss Mystery?

Nicole Kidman is currently in talks to join "Before I Go to Sleep," a spooky memory loss tale based on S.J. Watson's novel of the same name. She would play a woman who cannot create new memories, and looks to her old journals to reconstruct her past, but begins to realize that the truth should probably stay buried within the pages. "28 Weeks Later" writer Rowan Joffe is adapting the harrowing psychological novel. Let us know if you've read the book and if you think Kidman is perfect for the part.

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