As one of Hollywood’s longest ongoing “in-development” projects, the much talked-about (and requested) Ghostbusters 3 has had its fair of setbacks – many setbacks, as of recently. But there’s one person Dan Aykroyd can add to his list of supporters: famed writer (and The Real Ghostbusters animated series mastermind) J. Michael Straczynski.
Speaking with Straczynski at Comic-Con 2012, the topic of the “still in-the-works” Ghostbusters 3 came up, as Men in Black 3 writer Etan Cohen had just been tapped to rewrite the original script from Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky (Bad Teacher, Year One).
Bringing up Bill Murray’s hesitations with the Ghostbusters 3 script, and Cohen’s work on Men in Black 3 – which was itself rewritten by (at least) two other writers – we asked Straczynski whether the long-awaited Ghostbusters 3 could even work, given Murray’s need (and Aykroyd’s want) for it to “perfect.”
Quickly replying with a laugh and the statement, “Yes, well, if I wrote it,” it was clear that Straczynski had given the notion Ghostbusters 3 some thought. Acknowledging that he often comes up with ideas for franchises he has previously worked on or created (Thor, Underworld, Babylon 5), Straczynski admitted that he does have a working idea for a Ghostbusters 3 script – and that he would be willing to write it, if asked.
But therein lies the problem: Straczynski is likely never to be asked. Why? A grudge.
Following the success of the original Ghostbusters movie, Straczynski was tapped to spearhead the now iconic cartoon The Real Ghostbusters for ABC. Delivering the majority of the 147 episodes of the series – though not Slimer and The Real Ghostbusters (he quit under protest, only returning after ABC apologized and promised to let him write the characters his way) – the longtime scribe has ultimately been involved with creating almost fifty-four hours of terrific Ghostbusters storytelling (compared to Aykrod and Ramis’ three). Unfortunately, Straczynski’s work on The Real Ghostbusters may have been too terrific, as this is the source of the problem.
When Ghostbusters 2 premiered in 1989, many fans of the series (and Bill Murray) were unhappy with the sequel. Using The Real Ghostbusters as a quality caliber, many began to cite the cartoon as being better than Ghostbusters 2 – something that didn’t sit too well with those who created the iconic paranormal exterminators.
We did the animated series – which got great reviews; fans loved it – and then [Ghostbusters 2] came out and didn’t do terribly well. Everyone kept saying that the animated show was better. That caught in the craw of some of the people who make [Ghostbusters] – that [people] were saying the animation was better than their film. So I think there’s a personal awkwardness, on their part, to come back to me on [Ghostbusters 3].
For Straczynski, whose 10-hour a day writing habit has him currently scribing two tentpole films for Paramount, as well as many other projects under his newly-created ‘Studio JMS,’ Ghostbusters 3 isn’t exactly something he needs to do. But as one of the figures who can certainly be pointed to as a source for the continued love of the franchise, his lack involvement (or consultation) with the third film should be disheartening for Ghostbusters fans.
Recently, Aykroyd gave an update to Ghostbusters 3, following Murray’s dismissal of the previous script:
It’s got to be perfect. That’s the whole thing. There’s no point in doing it unless it’s perfect. So that’s what we’re up to now.
While Etan Cohen is certainly able to write a compelling script on his own, his work on Ghostbusters 3 is purely script doctoring (fixing). Given Murray’s hesitation to read anything from the writers of Year One, Cohen is simply trying make work what already didn’t, instead of crafting a completely original story himself. As for trying to attain Aykroyd’s “perfection” – that goal is beginning to sound less likely.
So while Ghostbusters fans wait for Bill Murray to be beaten down enough to begrudgingly agree to Ghostbusters 3, the clear solution to this 20-year old problem of a Ghostbusters threequel will continue to unfortunately stare everyone in the face…
If YOU agree that Straczynski should have a shot at the Ghostbusters 3 script, let your voice be heard! Tweet your thoughts on the subject with the hashtag of ’#JMS4GB3′
Because while grudges may have been fine in the past, what Ghostbusters 3 really needs is someone that has proven that they can write for these iconic characters. Currently, there are 3 people – and J. Michael Straczynski is one of them.
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Follow Anthony on Twitter @anthonyocasio
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Now this is what needs to happen. Since Aykroyd and Ramis aren’t writing it themselves, why not bring the guy who made the cartoon one of the best animated series of all-time?
So true! the animated series was great. I loved it as a kid. can’t believe this has taken 20 or so years to get done with such a popularity of shows like ghost hunters and all the other paranormal shows out there. The best part about the animated series was all the villains ( my personal favorite being SAMHAIN! ). Hopefully they don’t find a way to mess this up.
I hope that Bill sticks to his guns and doesn’t settle for a mediocre script. As for this writer, they should see what his idea is, maybe it could be used for a forth or fifth film if they don’t use it this time around. A person shouldn’t hold a grudge against someone because they’re more talented than themselves. That’s how wars are started. Kidding, but it’s not a good practice, opportunities are lost that way.
If this doesn’t work out, he needs to release the idea as a book. Or at least a series of tweets. I’d read it. Or retweet it.
Why aren’t Aykroyd and Ramis writing it? That was part of the strength of the previous films. It’s not like either of them are incredibly busy these days.
Ramis directed and had a part in writing Year One… might not be the best person to write anything anytime soon.
J.M.S should be part of this project from the start. The animated series really rocked during the late 80′s thru early 90′s. They need a pro/fan to handle the story. Similar to what Nolan did with the Batman franchise. I can’t blame Bill Murray for being a perfectionist and if he thinks Akroyd & Ramis’ ideas are outdated. But give J. Michael Straczynski a shot or a pitch and see what’ll happen. We all want to see Peter Venkman again. Please make this film happen!!!
It could work. The Animated Series had great characters and was much more dimensional than most other cartoons.
i don’t get the comparisons to ghostbusters 2, and i don’t even really see the problem with that film anyway. the cartoon may have been good…but its still a pretty dopey saturday morning cartoon, quite a bit different from a feature film
No thanks.
I watched the cartoon and had the action figures back in the day but honestly, compared to the movies, the cartoon sucked.
I just hope Ghostbusters 3 never happens.
This guy created Babylon 5 you noobs
He is one of the most talented genre screenwriters ever
Never enjoyed Babylon 5 either.
Yeah, did you like ‘Thor’??? :-$
http://www.reelz.com/movie-news/10287/j-michael-straczynski-discusses-his-contributions-to-thor-movie-adaptation/
Garth is exactly right. I doubt most people know just how much he’s written and how well. Look his bio up and you might be surprised.
Babylon 5 is my fave sci-fi, period. Amazing writing. And Real Ghostbusters was about as good as it gets, animated or otherwise. I’d put that cartoon right up there with Batman:TAS and Gargoyles.
Ghostbusters 2 was truly awful and the cartoon wasn’t.
Ghostbusters 2 was not “truly awful”.
Go ahead and point out the flaws but it’s still pretty entertaining.
Ghostbusters 2 was not “pretty entertaining.”
Go ahead and point out it’s strengths but it’s still pretty awful.
I’ve solved your problem. You don’t need a script. Condense the recent video game’s format into a two hour big screen epic, and you don’t really even need to write a script. The game was perfect, truly Ghostbusters 3, anyway. And for a long time, Akroyd was touting that it WAS Ghostbusters 3, so why not make it into a movie?
It’d be a great farewell. Bring them all back for one last amazing showing, use whatever you gotta use to make them seem younger again. One last hurrah. Finish this series with a bang.
Twittered my thoughts….hashtag Dan Fogler needs to star in this.
The spammers are out in full force today. As for Ghostbusters this needs to happen. J. Michael Straczynski would be perfect for the project. His work on anything has ever disappointed me. Really loved his run on the Amazing Spiderman comic. Hope this happens. I for one will be tweeting later when I get off work.
*never* disappointed
At this point in the game they should do a Reboot/Trilogy Ender mashup that:
A) Provides closure for the orginal ghosbusters characters in way that they can NOT come back again ever. I think that would help some with Murray who is not a fan of sequels of any movie.
2) Sets the pace for a new Ghostbusters line up so that future sequels cna be made independent of the orginals. For example, setting up a story line that forces the off spring of the orginal Ghostbusters to come together in order to help their long lost dads escape pergatory and move on. In the process the kids find the trade to be fun and profitable so they take up the mantle of Ghostbusting after theyr’ve hepled their dads escape the grips of the most evil of all supernatural beings, the devil.
THE OPENING SCEENE IN GB3:
Its a few years after the end of GB2 and the camera is in the back of the GB mobile so we see the backs of the heads of the GB group. We hear on the radio a recap of the events that occurred in GB2. Its the anniversary date of the GB’s defeating Zuel and so the radio DJ is talking about that and what happened at the end of GB2.
Out of no where a black hole opens up in front of the GB mobile and its swalloed up and disappears without a trace. The GB;s tried to exit the vehicle before they entered the hole but were sucked in, all except for Ray Stantz, Akroyds character. Cut to a courtrooom where we see STantz being sentenced for the deaths of the other 3. Hes bein made the fall guy by some behind the scenes manipulation by the new mayor.
Junmp ahead 20 years later and we see Stantz in a jail cell with the walls plastered with news paper clippings. The lights blink and go out randomly as a major storm is heard in the back ground During this we hear in an errie voice something calling out to Ray saying to him he has to stop him before its too late.
Cut to the next day and the prison guards are trying to figure out where Ray Stantz is. Hes gone without a trace. Cut to a small typical American nehgborhood where we are introduced to the son of Peter Vinkmans character and daughter of Egin Spengler. The 2 have recently been married. Up drives the son of Winston Zeddemore (Errnie Hudsons character) who is friends with the other 2. He goes on to explain that he had a weird dream last noght about his dad and the others dads. This prompts the other 2 to share that they each had the same dream. Up drives Ray (Akryd) who goes on to expain that the world is coming to an end and that the only people who can stop it are the kids dads who are not dead per say but are stuck in pergatory.
And the movie plays out from there as the kids learn how to go ghost bsstin with Ray as tehir istructor. The third act has them making tehir way t purgatory where they rescue the 3 GB’s caught 20 years ago by the devil and they proceed to stop him, the dads and the kids working together. In the end the dads have to leave earth because they are not among the lving. Even though they were in purgatory they were not alive either and so they now had to move on.
This easily sets up the ability for a sequel in whcih the offspring of the orginal GB’s are now doing the busting.
four corrections for your comment is:
correction 1: it’s pronounced zuul(not zuel)
correction 2: its ernie with one r not two.
correction 3: there’s no n in the word jump .
correction 4: its pronounced swallowed(not swalloed)
not a dig realy so do’nt take offence it’s to let you
know of the spelling mistakes it’s ok we all make them
it just human nature that’s all
frankie (cool rider) smales
tv and movie review uk
@frankie – Before you start criticizing others maybe you should take a closer look at your OWN posts:
“after all J. Michael Straczynski give us the real ghostbusters
in the 80′s and babylon 5 back in the 90′s maybe he should take
of the burden from aykroyd and ramis and do something quite new
to it that we never seen like lastly get to see inside of the ghost
vault that never got concieved in act one and maybe have sam hain
as the main villian and do it right and return of walter peck
great idea.”
correction 1: Us some punctuation (Capital Letters and Periods are our friends)
correction 2: It’s “Straczynski gave us” not “Straczynski give us”
correction 3: It’s “we’ve never seen” not “we never seen”
correction 4: It’s “main villain” not “main villian”
“not a dig realy so do’nt take offence it’s to let you
know of the spelling mistakes it’s ok we all make them
it just human nature that’s all”
I’m not going to single out all the problems with that statement because I think my point is clear. It’s the internet man. Don’t be the grammar police in the comment section.
Thanks,
Paul Young – Moderator
I don’t what peoples problem was with Ghostbusters 2. I loved both of them. Seen them both a million and one times each. I don’t understand and never will understand why it’s so hard to get a movie going. Especially a sequel. They need to put a rush on it if they’re going to do it!!
Grudge, shmudge. They need to get over themselves. If they truly want a great or even perfect GB3 to ever be made, give JMS a crack at a treatment. Man knows his Ghostbusters stuff, as much as Akroyd, Ramis, MurrY, and Reitman (possibly even more than them, actually). Drop the egos, and do it for one of the greatest (and most underutilized) franchises ever.
Grudge, shmudge. They need to get over themselves. If they truly want a great or even perfect GB3 to ever be made, give JMS a crack at a treatment. Man knows his Ghostbusters stuff, as much as Akroyd, Ramis, Murray, and Reitman (possibly even more than them, actually). Drop the egos, and do it for one of the greatest (and most underutilized) franchises ever.
Grudge, shmudge. They need to get over themselves. If they truly want a great or even perfect GB3 to ever be made, give JMS a crack at a treatment. Man knows his Ghostbusters stuff. Drop the egos, and do it for one of the greatest (and most underutilized) franchises ever.
Make It Happen!!!!!
JMS is the right person to bring GB3 to the screen – Sony needs to wake up – et GB3 start the franchises not the offspring….
If this guy wrote the script I would have whole faith in the script. Since Harold and Dan aren’t writing the script themselves J.M.S. is a huge resource that has great understanding of the material.
I just don’t understand why it can’t be a reboot. Oh wait, yea I do… Dan Akyroyd is no longer relevant and needs this to be out there again.
Just do what ever you have to do to make it perfect. Then start working on it.
Why do they keep hiring young writers that never have had anything to do with the franchise Ghostbusters. It should be Aykroyd and Ramis, end of discussion. You know why the year one script sucked? Because newcomers aren’t going to write a real and faithful script. Why isn’t anyone else stating this stupid decision to hire new writers. It’s not a reboot. If it was then that’s the only time that it would make sense to hire new and younger writers.? There in the damn movie so they should write the script. It’s not that complicated, well except for the fact that Bill Murray with never like or ever read the scrips. I loved Ghostbusters 2. It’s not a rehash it’s just staying true to the franchise. It’s authentic whether you liked it or not. It won’t be a Ghostbusters move unless they write write it.
Nobody should worry about Straczynski’s script idea It’ll probably get leaked to the Internet in three months anyway…
http://www.reelz.com/movie/270491/forbidden-planet/news/
Who’d of thought all those years ago, when barnes and noble said that ghostbusters was a dead franchise and we all hated them for it that they were actually right?
We’re working on the twenty fifth anniversary of this stupid back and forth s*** already. Murrays still thinks hes an artist and everyone else honestly believes the general public is even going to care if its “perfect”…
This may come off as sad news for us and all involved, but the worlds moved on from this franchise. The average person gives no s*** whatsoever about gbs and theres been no reason to. Theres been NOTHING new since extreme ghostbusters for crying out loud and even that wasnt spectacular.
Ninja turtles, transformers batman and motu have come back and gone away twice in that span and bill is still holding everything up over some stupid self righteous need to control the fate of a franchise that he didnt create or invest in.
Theres no way in hell the gb3 he wants is anything that any of us want to see. And as i said before, no one cares anymore anyway. Sonys better off buying the rights from everyone and rebooting the way it wants.
At least then the franchise gets proper attention and treatment that WANT there to be a resurgence of gb popularity…
Ask axl rose how the 20 yr hiatus chasing perfection works out for “artists” and then ask yourself who the hell murray thinks he is.
F u bill.
No thanks. The childrens’ cartoon was fun, but the writer has no business mixing with the “real” films. The success of the cartoon already helped weaken GB2, as they watered down the adult themes and jokes that made the first film so memorable.
The problem with bringing back 20+ year old movies is that anything done is always going to be considered waterdown, or like in the new Star Wars Trilogies, in need of salt… Yes it was Star Wars, but something was missing, but now who cares… Next. But of course using JMS as the writer for GB3 would be a great benefit for the franchise, he knows the characters the storylines and the natrual advancement of the arc, I look forward to watching another cheezy Ghost movie from these guys, lol….
after all J. Michael Straczynski give us the real ghostbusters
in the 80′s and babylon 5 back in the 90′s maybe he should take
of the burden from aykroyd and ramis and do something quite new
to it that we never seen like lastly get to see inside of the ghost
vault that never got concieved in act one and maybe have sam hain
as the main villian and do it right and return of walter peck
great idea.
frankie (cool rider) smales
frankie smales tv and movie review uk