Actor, comedian and screenwriter Dan Aykroyd, who was a lead player of the original supernatural comedy franchise, has endorsed the new cast members of the upcoming "Ghostbusters" film.

On Wednesday, Aykroyd made his remarks to The Hollywood Reporter, stating: "The Aykroyd family is delighted by this inheritance of the 'Ghostbusters' torch by these most magnificent women in comedy. My great grandfather, Dr. Sam Aykroyd, the original 'Ghostbuster,' was a man who empowered women in his day, and this is a beautiful development in the legacy of our family business."

Bill Murray, who proved elusive when talks of a third "Ghostbusters" film were on the table prior to the death of screenwriter and co-star Harold Ramis, previously told GQ that the likelihood of follow-up was "a bunch of crock." But Murray was in favor of an all-female "Ghostbusters" blockbuster movie.

"I would go to that movie," Murray told the press at the Toronto International Film Festival last October, according to Slash Film.

"It sounds great to me," Murray clarified later with Access Hollywood's Scott Mantz last year. "It sounds as good an idea as any other! There are a lot of women that could scare off any kind of vapor! No, it's a grande idea, I don't know who they're talking about, but it's a good idea, I would watch it! I mean, I love Robert Palmer's videos, so why wouldn't I love the female Ghostbusters?"

However, Ernie Hudson, a cast member of the original "Ghostbusters" quartet had some apprehension at first when studios began talking about the women-led movie.

Hudson told The Telegraph, "If it has nothing to do with the other two movies, and it's all female, then why are you calling it 'Ghostbusters'? I love females. I hope that if they go that way, at least they'll be funny, and if they're not funny at least hopefully it'll be sexy. I love the idea of including women; I think that's great. But all-female, I think, would be a bad idea. I don't think the fans want to see that."

Hudson continued: "Maybe it will come out and be the most amazing thing, but in my opinion I think it would be wrong to do another movie that didn't include the guys. And that didn't include me!"

On Tuesday, Jan. 28, Hudson reacted to the new cast announcement on Twitter, writing, "No comment." The comment was subsequently taken down.

Hudson rebuffed in a tweet: "Leave it 2 @guardian 2 pull a quote fr:months ago on an all gal new #Ghostbusters & make it sound like I just said it."

On Thursday afternoon, Hudson seemed to have changed his attitude toward the reboot and the all-female cast, speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, saying: "Four fiercely funny, foxy, females busting ghosts ... phenomenal!"

Paul Feig is directing the film, co-written by himself and "The Heat" screenwriter Katie Dippold. The "Ghostbusters" reboot will star Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones.

The movie is set for release on July 22, 2016, Feig said on Twitter. Production will commence this summer with a cast that includes Academy Award nominee Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig ("The Skeleton Twins"), and SNL funny woman Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones. Paul Feig will be directing the film, co-written by himself and screenwriter Katie Dippold ("The Heat").

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