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More News & Rumors For ‘Ghostbusters 3′

Anthony Ocasio — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 01:36:25 +0000

With Halloween soon approaching, it seems as though this week we are overrun with new information regarding what the status is of Ghostbusters 3. While some of it may be new information, one has to sift through a majority of regurgitated old information as well as general speculation to find it. This week is no different as we bring you news (and rumors) on the status of our favorite paranormal exterminators from Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray and Ivan Reitman.

We’ve got Reitman telling us that it’s “more positive than negative”, Murray saying that there’s no script and, for the first time, Aykroyd being less than optimistic by stating it’s all talk until they get green lit and are giving a production number.

There’s also this rumor that there’s no funding for Ghostbusters 3, but we’ll that we’ll get to later.

With all of this information, I figured the easiest way to absorb it all would be split it up into their own respective categories.

Ivan Reitman

Last weekend, our favorite producer was in Spain to attend the 42nd Sitges Film Festival and with Ivan Reitman comes Ghostbusters talk, especially after last week when Bloody Disgusting reported that they have (in some way) confirmed that he is “100% committed” to direct the Ghostbusters threequel. While he has yet to confirm or deny that report, he did have some have some tid-bits for us fans to speculate on.

“For the first time possibilities are more positive than negative. Before we needed some twist to be able to make it, now if there isn’t any other major change we will do it. It’s never easy to bring all these people to an agreement on something, but now there’s a script, a definitive one, complete and approved.”

Continuing to add fuel to Aykroyd’s statements last week that all of the original cast will be involved, Reitman comments on our beloved tenant whose hobbies include floating above her covers… Four feet above her covers!

“The project needs the presence of everyone, including Sigourney Weaver!”

While Sigourney Weaver had initially declined to be a part of this summer’s Ghostbusters: The Video Game, she attempted to jump in on the project later on, but since they were too far into production, they weren’t able to include her. Sad for us fans, but at least we know she’s still interested in playing the part of bass-playing stool sample collector, Dana Barrett.

Those hoping to find out anything about the plot are out of luck as Reitman vows that he “will never tell you what’s like.” (Sure, he says that know, but let’s see how tight lipped he is after I slip him a couple Abe Lincolns in his pocket.)

In hopes to relieve fans that they’re looking to make a good movie instead of just a money grab, Reitman touches upon Ghostbusters 2 to explain his intentions with a third film.

“The second movie was some kind of exploitation of the first but was too heavily based on special effects, in that way losing grip on what were the driving forces of the first: characters and jokes. This is something I still regret and now I’d like to pay tribute to those wonderful characters with this new one.”

Bill Murray

This week, Mr. Vekeman was in England for the premiere of the upcoming Wes Anderson film, Fantastic Mr Fox and while walking the red carpet, someone must have said the magic word (please) as Murray opens up about the status (or lack their of ) of another Ghostbusters.

“I’ll believe it when I see it. I’ve seen a guy talk about the end of the world a couple of years back, but I haven’t seen that either. So, I’m not going to believe the Ghostbusters story until I see the script.”

That statement conflicts against other reports which say that all parties have approved of the script. Since Murray is part of the rights holders in Ghostbusters, he has to sign off on it. Although, the general consensus is that he’s referring to a green-lit script rather than the existence of one at all.

Still, script aside, Murray doesn’t sound like he’s all that ready to strap on the proton pack again. Not yet, at least.

“I don’t want to do it yet. There’s still no script. It’s just a bunch of talk. It’s just a wish list for someone. Until there’s a really good script I’ll stay at home and play snooker… There has to be a serious script before I leave the house.”

While one may believe that all we need is a green-lit script to get Murray on board, he continues to add that he’s going to need more than that before he signs on.

“If it’s really good [I'll do it]. It’s got to be really good. I’m not going to make one just to make another one. We made a second one, it was ok, but it wasn’t as good as the first one.”

Blizzamm (made that word up myself. Copyright!), another stab at Ghostbusters 2. All this hating on Ghostbusters 2 is really starting to make me regret taking apart my NES Advantage so that I could pretend to control the Statue of Liberty. (Never did work. Although, to be fair, I was missing the mood slime & Jackie Wilson.)

Click to read what Dan Aykroyd has to say and the latest Ghostbusters 3 rumor…

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Reitman “100% Attached” To Direct Ghostbusters 3

Anthony Ocasio — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 16:55:20 +0000

Our friends over at Bloody Disgusting are reporting that they have “confirmed, 100%, without a shadow of a doubt” that Ivan Reitman is attached to direct Ghostbusters 3. Now before all you “ghost heads” get excited about Reitman returning, there’s something else you should know, “he hasn’t decided whether or not he really wants to direct [it], yet.”

Reitman attached, but not committing to direct is not that surprising. Over the past 10 years, Reitman has only directed 2 films (Evolution & My Super Ex-Girlfriend), but since he’s one of the five members in the “infamous” Ghostbusters rights holders agreement (Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, Ivan Reitman & Columbia Pictures (Sony) all have to sign off on anything Ghostbusters before it can happen), attaching himself to the project without deciding to direct could be more to prevent any delays in development due to the studio wanting a director attached to the project.

In other news, Bloody Disgusting has also found out that “…the sequel takes place when the paranormal researchers “reopen” their ghost removal service after it has been closed for quite a few years.” This is pretty interesting considering that Aykroyd has been quoted as saying that the recently released Ghostbusters: The Video Game would be considered canon in the series. Looks like “the rookie” and the whole “franchise opportunity” didn’t pan out as well as one would have thought.

While Bloody Disgusting is reporting this as more of a non-news item, with Ghostbusters being my favorite film, anything regarding a new installment is major news, in my book. (Yes, that book would be “Tobin’s Spirit Guide”).

That aside, over the past week(s) Harold Ramis, Dan Aykroyd and Ernie Hudson have all been talking about Ghostbusters 3, so let’s round-up what they’ve had to say.

Dan Aykroyd (appearing on KGO AM 810 in San Francisco)

He’s hoping to start something this fall, but the script has not been finalized. Expecting at least two-thirds of the cast returning, but has said that himself, Harold Ramis and Bill Murray will “for sure” be in it.

Harold Ramis (interview with Movie Web)

(On Egon’s life in the new film)

“I had two initial first instincts. One was that Egon had become a shaved head Buddhist monk. That is not going to happen. The thing that I pitched for my character is that he’s been living in Geneva, and he works for the Institute of Imaginary Science. The work we are doing doesn’t require any conceptual, intellectual, special, or mathematical models for what we are doing. Even we don’t know what we are doing. It’s that theoretical.”

(On who would be the new Ghostbuster recruits)

“Every young actor will be mentioned. No one is signed or has been approached.”

(On what the intentions are for the third film)

“I think we are just going to try and make a good movie. The intention of a sequel is not to give an audience more of what they didn’t get enough of the first time. It’s to give the audience something that is new. We want them to feel that they are having a new experience of some kind. That becomes a tightrope. Yeah, we definitely are introducing new Ghostbusters. That much is for sure. And there will be inter-dimensional creatures visiting New York. And we will deal with it. That’s all I am allowed to say at this point.”

Ernie Hudson (interview with IESB)

(On his thoughts regarding the third film)

“We’re all up for it. It just has to be something we can be proud of and stand by. I’d love for it to happen. I think it would be very, very cool. But, it really needs to be something that makes sense. I don’t want to just do a cameo. If we’re going to do it, I want to be involved.”

(On his involvement/reality of the third film happening)

“…I’m hoping the movie happens, but I have not heard from Ivan Reitman or the studio, or anybody who signs checks. Until that happens, it’s still just speculation.”

Well, there you have it. Enough Ghostbusters 3 news to tied you over for at least a couple days. If, for some reason, you’re still hankering (first time I’ve used that word – ever) for more parapsychology, giant Twinkies and “stuff” that will turn you white, you’re in luck as you’ve got the release of a new Ghostbusters & Ghostbusters 2 gift set (with Stay Puft figure), Ghostbusters on Blu-ray, The Real Ghostbusters complete series on DVD, Ghostbusters: The Video Game and the October 15^th release of the limited-edition, 6″ Ray Stanz action figure from Matty Collector.

If that’s still not enough, head over to GBfans.com and build yourself a proton pack (#1 on my bucket-list).

We’ll report on more details and dates for Ghostbusters 3 as they’re announced.

Source: Bloody Disgusting & IESB, Movie Web, KGO AM 810 [via: Proton Charging]

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Video Interview: Harold Ramis Talks Ghostbusters 3

Ross Miller — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:34:06 +0000

The long awaited and much speculated about Ghostbusters 3, has had a bumpy ride over the years. Rumors, speculation, interviews, fact and fiction have all been thrown around about a third movie in the franchise. Its “Maybe… at some point” status has been rather frustrating for fans who want to see the ghost busting team back together once more.

Most of the rumors and general talk about a Ghostbusters 3 movie has been in print or online, but today (thanks to MakingOf) we have a video interview with Dr. Egon Spengler himself (a.k.a Harold Ramis) talking about the movie. Ramis talks about such things as the status of the movie at the moment (how the other key players are feeling about it, if there’s a spec script written and so forth), the audience appetite for another one after so many years since the disappointing second one, and how he would like the movie to turn out like (mentioning such things as the special effects and general style).

It’s an interesting interview with Ramis, particularly for those who are dying to see another Ghostbusters movie on the big-screen. Oh, and you might get a kick out of hearing Ramis slam a movie or four when talking about today’s special effects/animation. You can check out the seven minute video below:

I can certainly be lumped in with the movie fans out there who want to see another Ghosbusters movie. Although the second movie was really quite disappointing (especially when you consider how great the first one is), the characters and the whole mythology are so good that I think another go at it is a great idea.

Also, surely I can’t be the only one who wants to see these classic ghost busting characters having aged as the actors obviously have – just where is the ghost busting team now, and what have they been up to all this time? I really want to find out!

Are you looking forward to a Ghostbusters 3? Do you think the movie should keep the technology low-tech, or make use of the special effects that are possible with today’s technology?

Ghostbusters 3 is still in the development stages and doesn’t have a release date as of yet.

Source: MakingOf (via /Film)

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Ivan Reitman Answers Questions Regarding Ghostbusters 3

Paul Young — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 21:43:32 +0000

Director Ivan Reitman recently did a news conference in L.A. addressing the new Ghostbusters Blu-ray, video game and much anticipated sequel, Ghostbusters 3. News has recently come out that Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis and Ernie Hudson have agreed do the film and reports of Alyssa Milano and Eliza Dushku as possible newcomers have surfaced as well.

Could it be that the planets are aligned just right and now is the time to move forward with Ghostbusters 3? Reitman, who directed Ghostbusters 1 and 2, seems to think so:

We’re going to get a screenplay in a short time. We’re going to see how it is. There’s something in the zeitgeist of the world right now that it feels appropriate. There are some very talented people writing the screenplay. All of our fingers are crossed.

Reitman says he thinks the combination of the video game and Blu-ray release have helped “awaken the thirst” of the creators, along with the fact that people still seem to be very interested in the material. This has made Ghostbusters 3 a real possibility. He went on to say that he doesn’t want to disappoint fans with the new film and that he wants it to be as good as the original. To accomplish that goal, he says:

The most important thing is that the script be good. I think we can find actors who can join the original group of actors to make something special of it.

Dan Aykroyd said a couple of weeks ago that he would like Reitman to direct Ghostbusters 3 but he didn’t feel that was possible because of Rietman’s busy producing schedule. He also said Harold Ramis would be the most likely candidate to fill the director’s chair. But when Reitman was asked about Gene Stupnitsky and Lee Eisenberg’s script and the possible “passing the torch to a young generation” story, he had this to say:

Yeah, I think that is part of the story that we’re working on right now. We’ll see how it turns out… Except for an outline, I have yet to read anything, so I think they’re going to hand something in, in the next month or two.

Check out the full interview for more.

For someone supposedly too busy to be involved with the film, he sure does seem to be in the thick of things. Is he speaking as the future director or producer? No way to be sure yet but either way, as long as he is involved, I won’t be complaining. He has given us some of the best comedies from the 80’s, two of which are comedy classics in Ghostbusters and Stripes. Honestly, comedies nowadays just aren’t made with the same standards as either of those two films. Even Ghostbusters 2, which is considered by many to be the weaker of the two films, still remains wildly entertaining.

Maybe I’m biased because I grew up as a child of the 80’s but to me, comedies back then just seemed more fun, and for that reason alone, no one wants to see this sequel succeed more than I do.

FUN FACT: My name (Paul Young) is mentioned in Ghostbusters 2. Sure they’re talking about the singer but it’s still my name.

Our fingers are crossed with you Mr. Reitman.

The Ghostbusters Blu-ray releases June 16, 2009 and Ghostbusters 3 currently has no official date but is expected for 2012.

Source: SCI FI Wire

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Another Comic-Con Contest: Ghostbusters Is Hiring

Paul Young — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 03:56:32 +0000

Occasionally Screen Rant receives some interesting information from our sources in Hollywood and when we do, we pass it along to our fantastic readers. This time we bring you a contest sponsored by Red Bricks Media in partnership with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

Red Bricks and Sony Pictures are running a contest over at GhostbustersIsHiring.com that coincides with the release of Ghostbusters on Blu-Ray. Go check it out and keep checking back for updates because someone will win a trip to the 2009 San Diego Comic-Con!

To whet your appetite for everything Ghostbusters here are three clips from the upcoming Blu-Ray release.

Blu-ray Trailer
[See post to watch Flash video]

Refurbishing Ecto-1
[See post to watch Flash video]

Dan Akroyd Meets the Refurbished Ecto-1
[See post to watch Flash video]

In case you are wondering, yes that really is Harold Ramis in the introduction video. Maybe he’s growing a beard for Ghostbusters 3 like Tom Hanks did for Castaway or Jaquin Pheonix is for whatever reason he came up with?

Are you going to enter the contest and purchase the DVD when it comes out? (By the way Screen Rant is NOT hosting the contest, we’re just letting you know about it.)

Ghostbusters will be in stores on Blu-ray June 16, 2009.

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More Details About Ghostbusters 3

Paul Young — Wed, 27 May 2009 16:50:53 +0000

Rumors, speculation and more rumors! For the past 20 years that’s all we’ve gotten from Hollywood regarding Ghostbusters 3, but it wasn’t for a lack of trying on Dan Aykroyd’s part. He wrote a script, came up with ideas, and pushed it around in hopes of getting it made. Nothing came of it and it seemed that Ghostbusters 3 was just never meant to be.

That has all changed in the recent months, Dr. Raymond Stantz (a.k.a. Dan Aykroyd) has been out in the movie publications and on web sites pushing the new Ghostbusters 3 movie hard. Last week Aykroyd revealed who he would like for the two female roles (Alyssa Milano, Eliza Dushku) and that Ramis would be directing instead of Reitman.

He continued to fan the fan-boy flames this past weekend by talking with the Guardian Guide in the UK:

There’ll be a whole new generation that has to be trained and a leader that you’ll all love when you meet her. There’ll be lots of cadets, boys and girls who’ll be learning how to use the neuron splitter and the inter-planet interceptor – new tools to enable them to slip from dimension to dimension.

Obviously, the female role he alludes to is either Milano or Dushku, and personally, I think it should be Dushku but either of them would be a great fit.

I’m curious to see the new tools he mentions for the film – “neuron splitter and the inter-planet interceptor”. We’ve already seen the proton pack, PKE meter and the ghost trap, so it’s nice to see that they’re adding weapons to the ghost-butt-kicking arsenal. The inter-dimension story would fit into the Ghostbusters world quite nicely, IMO. Fanboys probably should wait a bit before they start crying foul like they did with another recent alternate dimension movie (ahem Star Trek *cough cough*), .

Ghostbusters is the same movie series that brought us a giant flaming Marshmallow Man, a walking Statue of Liberty and river of slime flowing beneath Manhattan (that last part really wasn’t THAT much of a stretch). Would trans-dimensional travel really be that far out of the realm of possibility here?

This isn’t the first time Aykroyd has hinted at an inter-dimensional story. Back in February 2007, Peter Sciretta over at /Film had Aykroyd saying this:

I wrote a script called Hell Bent, Ghostbusters go to hell basically. The premise is that it’s Manhellton. There’s Manhattan and ManHELLton. And if you can build an inter-dimensional phase system so that you can go from one dimension to another. We’ve succeeded doing that and we go to the hell side.

It’s a very weird concept but then again so is a giant, green, slimy, ghost who eats hot dogs.

So does any of this new information trickling out get you more excited to see Ghostbusters 3 and do you think it will live up to the hype beginning surround it or will it ultimately be another unnecessary sequel?

A release date for Ghostbusters 3 has not been announced yet, but with production beginning this winter, we could see it out in the Summer of 2011.

Source: /Film

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Dan Aykroyd Gives Ghostbusters 3 Updates!

Paul Young — Fri, 22 May 2009 00:30:31 +0000

It’s been twenty years since we last saw Venkman, Stantz, Spengler, and Zeddemore don the gray jumpsuits, strap on the proton packs and kick some other-worldly butt. I vividly remember seeing both films in the theater when I was ten and thirteen. I also seem to vividly remember the Sigourney Weaver bathtub scene from Ghostbusters 2 (don’t act like you don’t know the one I’m talking about).

Talks of a third installment have been floating on the internet boards for years now and I for one, have been looking forward to it since the speculation began. For a while, the rumors were that Chris Farley was in talks to join the cast. Obviously with his passing that did not occur, but that was as close as anyone got to making Ghostbusters 3 a reality… until now.

When I heard that Sigourney Weaver may not be involved in the next film, I was more than a little disappointed. However, Geoff Boucher from the LA Times had a chance to sit down with Dan Aykroyd and talk to him about Ghostbusters 3. Aykroyd spoke on why the project took so long to get off the ground and what or who he doesn’t blame as the cause of the delay:

“I don’t put not making the third movie on Billy. We can’t do that. I’ve been very busy. Harold’s been busy, Ivan’s been busy. And a third script really didn’t coalesce properly. And Billy, you can’t blame an artist for not wanting to do the same thing again. He did two of them, for God’s sake. Although I’m the biggest cheerleader as the originator of the concept but I’ve never begrudged Billy not doing a third movie. I never said he held it up or that he refused. Hey, listen, he’s an artist. You can’t force somebody into it. I’m sorry he never read my third draft because I thought it was pretty good but, look, now we’re at a point that there’s a story that he can accept and that’s going to work, and I think we’re going to be in production fairly soon. We could be in production by winter.”

When Screen Rant last reported on Ghostbusters 3, Weaver was not confirmed as attached to the project but Aykroyd now confirms that she is indeed on board. She isn’t the only one returning; Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, Ernie Hudson and Dan Aykroyd will all portray their original alter-egos.

He also mentioned the possibility of two new characters, neither of whom would look terrible in a jumpsuit: Alyssa Milano (Charmed) and Eliza Dushku (Dollhouse) (I’m thinking bathtub scene all over again).

Milano does a voice role in the upcoming Ghostbusters video game and Aykroyd had this to say:

“I think they’re (Milano and Dushku) amazing… And I’m excited about the whole idea of getting this done.”

Writers Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky, who penned the upcoming Jack Black/Michael Cera movie Year One will not be teaming up with Ivan Reitman, who is “too busy as a mega-producer” to sit in the director’s chair as he did the first two films. Instead, Harold Ramis will helm the project, which isn’t a bad thing because he co-wrote the first two Ghostbusters and has established himself as a top-notch director with movies like Caddyshack and Groundhog Day. He also directed Year One.

As for the story of this newest Ghostbusters, Aykroyd had this to say:

“I’d like it to be a passing-of-the-torch movie. Let’s revisit the old characters briefly and happily and have them there as family but let’s pass it on to a new generation.”

Of course the details are still sketchy, but it will probably be a five member team with at least two female members. With principal shooting tentatively scheduled to start this winter, I’m sure we’ll see something more concrete in the next couple of weeks.

Who is willing to put on the jumpsuit, fire up the containment unit and dodge some slimy ghosts to watch Ghostbusters 3?

Source: LA Times Blog, Video Game Image from Terminal Reality

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Dan Aykroyd Talks Ghostbusters 3

Niall Browne — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 01:41:45 +0000

Dan Aykroyd, the champion of the Ghostbusters franchise over the last fifteen years or so has spoken about the progress of the third film in the comedy-horror-sci-fi franchise.

Aykroyd talked to CHUD and Go Nintendo about the Ghostbusters game and film; he divulged information on Sigourney Weaver’s participation (she declined an opportunity to take part in the forthcoming game) as well as what the plot for the third film might entail.

When asked by Go Nintendo how the new game will help development of a third film Aykroyd said that he saw this new game as the third film and if it helped get an actual movie off the ground then all the better. He said:

“I’d want to see the third movie made. I think (the video game) is the third movie and if everything is creative and right, and this game helps get the third movie made… We have a good concept there; (we have) the young writers from The Office. I’ve worked with Harold (Ramis)on Year One, which is coming out. The Book of Genesis adapted into a comedy? Who but Harold Ramis could pull that off! So these two writers – (Lee) Eisenberg and (Gene) Stupnitsky – they sound like a vaudeville team or a law firm – are brilliant young guys. And they come up with a good story.”

When speaking to CHUD the actor went into more detail about the film and Sigourney Weaver’s involvement – in the new game she is replaced by Alyssa Milano. Aykroyd had this to say:

“When we do the Ghostbusters 3 movie, hopefully, Sigourney will be in, I know. We’ll make that happen. There’ll be a whole new generation that has to be trained. And that whole new generation will be led by an individual that you’ll all love when you hear who it is, but I’m not going to tell you now. There will be lots of cadets, boys and girls, who’ll be learning how to use the cyclotron, the accelerators, and the new stuff. The nuon splitter, the inter-planary interceptor, all these great tools they’re going to have to flip from dimension to dimension. Anyway. Game number two, maybe. “

There you have it – straight from the Ghostbuster’s mouth.

Be warned, Dan Aykroyd is a very excitable person and he’s been bigging up a third Ghostbusters for close to 15 years – going so far as to pen a script that featured the Ghostbusters in hell. However, the cost of the script was way too much to film and the project stalled. Now, it will be interesting to se if any of that material will make it into any future films or games.

Speaking of games, Aykroyd has stated that he has two film scripts which he might develop as games rather than films:

“I have two incredible – what I think are great – science-fiction stories myself right now that I think I’m just going to skip the movies altogether. And I’m going to find maybe some gamers and maybe go with (Atari) again. And I’ll just give them the scripts and say, ‘Pretend this movie got made.’ Which today, games make movies.”

Well, it does look like Ghostbusters 3 is moving along and I’m guessing that if sales are good for this forthcoming game then you’ll get to see Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, Ernie Hudson and maybe even Sigourney Weaver and Rick Moranis bust ghosts again.

More on Ghostbusters 3 when we get it.

Sources: Go Nintendo and CHUD

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Harold Ramis Talks ‘Ghostbusters 3′

Ross Miller — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 14:15:38 +0000

If ever there were a movie franchise that we all want to see continue, whether that be admittedly or deep down, it would be Ghostbusters. In the fall of last year, it was confirmed that the third film was moving forward with Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky hired to write the script.

About five weeks ago, Internet rumors were abound that comedy man of the minute, Judd Apatow, was going to head the production of Ghostbusters 3 – possibly because of Eisenberg and Stupnitsky writing both that and the Apatow-produced Year One. As it turns out, Apatow will not be involved in any way with the film which might be a good thing since his style doesn’t really fit all that well with what Ghostbusters essentially is.

To step things back into a more believable, “more than rumor” light, MTV News got a chance to speak to Ghostbusters writer/actor Harold Ramis while he was promoting his new film Year One, inevitably leading to questions about the continuation of the Ghostbusters series. First off, and this is probably of most interest to you all, is the fact that he said the original cast members will be back – yes, that means himself, Aykroyd and even Bill Murray (the latter being the one big road block in the continuing of this franchise for 20 years now). Ramis said:

We’re all going to be in it in different kinds of roles,” Ramis said. “We’re going to be the sage mentors. There are going to be young Ghostbusters.”

Although Ramis made a point to say that the new Ghostbusters will be young, that doesn’t necessarily rule out the rumored Seth Rogen, Paul Rudd and James Franco, who are 26, 39 and 30 years old, respectively – he’s probably just meaning not a 55-plus year old main cast…

However, since Apatow isn’t involved in any way, there’s no concrete reason to think Rogen, Rudd and Franco are in the running – the reason they were rumored in the first place was because Apatow was rumored to be attached, a director who’s movies often feature his regulars like Rogen and Rudd.

At the moment, Ramis says he’s waiting for a first draft of the script:

“Gene and Lee, both of whom I mentored, are now writing the new ‘Ghostbusters,’ ” Ramis said. “I’m consulting with them, as is Dan Aykroyd and [original director] Ivan Reitman.

“Bill Murray is just waiting for the truckload of money to arrive to get him out of his office,” Ramis joked.

It seems that it’s not just in the fan’s heads that Murray is mainly holding out for the big bucks – Ramis, the guy basically in the driver’s seat, is now at the point of taking little shots at his old friend. Nonetheless a jab is all it was, and he went on to say that he wants Murray involved, and is confident he will be once he gets the script:

“I haven’t talked to him about it,” Ramis said. “I want to talk to him about it eventually. I think we just need a script, because he’s the thorniest of the group.”

Aside from the money issue, Murray’s main qualm with making a third film is that he needs the script to be right. He has let it be known before that he didn’t like the script for the second film, that it was a completely different movie than he thought it would be, and that it was a disappointment mainly because it relied heavily on special effects. Murray is an icon of the comedy genre, and so him giving the usually generic “the script has to be right” answer can be taken far more seriously than it otherwise could have been.

Amongst the millions of questions people have about the next Ghostbusters film, there is the significant one about who will direct it. Since neither Ramis or Ivan Reitman (who directed the original) are planning on helming this, it’s up in the air who it will be.

I’d like to throw my hat in the ring for Jason Reitman, the man behind Juno and Thank You For Smoking (who is, coincidentally, Ivan’s son). He has shown he knows exactly what do with a savvy, genuinely funny script with his two mentioned movies, and something about his style just seems to “click” with the Ghostbusters universe.

To finish, Ramis took some time to shoot down of the casting rumors that have been floating around for a good while now:

“Here’s how old the rumors are,” Ramis said. “Chris Farley was one of the rumors. It was going to be Chris Farley, Ben Stiller and Chris Rock.”

With that last comment, Ramis is showing just how far back all of the speculation, rumors, hopes… heck, even dreams, about another Ghostbusters film have been going on. However who can blame hopeful fans? The original Ghostbusters film is an utter classic and a lot of people even like the second one simply because “it’s a Ghostbusters movie.” Just the simple notion of a third film is inevitably going to have people excited because they get to return to a world that they know and love, and hopefully, like Ramis has been talking about above, get to see what the original Ghostbusters are up to.

I know I certainly do…

What are your thoughts on a Ghostbusters 3? Would you like to see the original cast come back for a third go at it or should they continue with completely new people?

Source: MTV

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Ghostbusters 3 Is Apatow-Free

Sabrina Cognata — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 01:26:07 +0000

While internet rumors swirled earlier this week about Judd Apatow producing Ghostbusters 3, it appears those rumors are false. The rumors took flight when Production Weekly claimed they’d obtained an official document listing Apatow Productions being in charge of the up and coming Ghostbusters film.

In order to clear up the rumors the LA Times went directly to Sony Pictures and questioned them about Apatow’s possible involvement in the production of Ghostbusters 3. The president of Sony Pictures gave a statement indicating the rumors were bunk, “It’s not true… Judd isn’t involved.”

While no one is really sure how the rumor got started it might be traced back to Apatow’s involvement with Year One. Since the writers of Ghostbusters 3 are Gene Stupinsky and Lee Eisenberg, who also were involved with Year One and someone could easily have faked production documents to start people talking.

Regardless of the fact that this is not an Apatow film, there has been no statement involving any of the usual Apatow crew being involved in Ghostbusters 3. So I guess if you’re super excited about the thoughts of having Seth Rogan, Paul Rudd, James Franco or any of the other regulars end up involved in the Ghostbusters 3 cast, well, don’t give up just yet.

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Ghostbusters 3 Could Be Filming By This Fall

Sabrina Cognata — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 21:35:40 +0000

When you’re Dan Akroyd you get used to the fact that no matter what you promote, you’ll eventually be asked questions about the impending future of Ghostbusters 3. Recently, while promoting the opening of The House of Blues in Boston, Akroyd did an interview with the Boston Globe and answered some questions from the online community.

So, of course, one of the first questions asked had to deal with the questionable future of Ghostbusters 3. Ain’t It Cool reported:

[Comment From Tom] Dan, I’m extremely excited for the HOB to be back in its birth-city!! I will be attending many shows. On a side note, and I’m sure you get these questions a lot, so I apologize in advance…Ghostbusters 3? I’ve heard that the writers of the Office are currently penning a script? How is this coming along, and should we look forward to this movie seeing the light of day? Thanks Dan!

Dan Aykroyd: Script is commenced early summer. Hope to be in production by late fall 2009

So the script has been completed and we’re all just waiting to see if it gets the green light, which should happen around June. Taking into consideration how long people have been waiting for this and the potential it has for being huge, this could be awesome. Although depending on the script, this thing could end up like the Donnie Darko sequel and endure a quiet death – but let’s hope not.

Ghostbusters was definitely the film that structured my sense of humor and comedic timing as a child. I have such great hopes the anticipated third addition to the Ghostbusters franchise that I feel like I am jinxing it by even being hopeful.

What do you think – would you like to see a new one or should they leave well enough alone?

Source: Ain’t It Cool

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Mid-Week Movie News Wrap Up – Oct. 9, 2008

Niall Browne — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 19:04:54 +0000

Welcome to yet another jam-packed, news filled installment of the Mid-Week Movie News Wrap Up.

This week: Kevin Costner may play ball again; Tim Burton may helm Pirates of The Carribbean 4; David Cronenberg is Bourne again (kind of); we check out the helmer of 28 Months Later and Bill Murray talks Ghostbusters 3 and you can see Prince of Peace – God of War for free.

1. Kevin Costner may make his first ever sequel. Maybe.

Producer Thom Mount has stated that he has a script in development that is a sequel to 1980’s baseball classic Bull Durham. The film was one of Costner’s most successful (critically at least) films and it co-starred Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins.

Mount says that no cast has yet signed on, but there is a slim chance that Costner and company may return. If not, I wouldn’t be surprised if Kurt Russell stars – as he was originally in the frame for the lead role, but the studio went for the more box office friendly Costner.

Source: Moviehole

2. Cinema Blend has a scoop that says that Tim Burton may be in the frame to replace Gore Verbinski in the director’s chair for the fourth instalment of The Pirates of the Caribbean.

Although Verbinski is set to return, apparently Burton is ready to make Jack Sparrow gothic if he decides that fourth time isn’t a charm.

It seems unlikely – but Johnny Depp and Burton have a special relationship, and I’m sure Burton would consider it, if he was asked. He’s also currently shooting Alice In Wonderland for “the house of the mouse”. Also, he didn’t say no to Planet of the Apes so why would he not consider a Depp movie with Pirates and other wierd stuff.

I hope this isn’t so, as it would seem like a backward step for Burton.

Source: Cinema Blend

3. David Cronenberg is pondering directing duties on The Matarese Circle. The film is based on a novel by Bourne Identity novelist Robert Ludlum. The pic is due to star Denzel Washington.

It sounds a bit too mainstream for Cronenberg – but then again, so did The Fly.

I saw A History of Violence recently, I must say that I wasn’t impressed.

Source: Variety

4. The unlikely “Days Later” franchise has nabbed a director for a third instalment of Zombie action. Paul Andrew Williams will helm 28 Months Later. the follow-up to 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later. See what they did there? I can’t wait for 28 Years Later.

Source: Arrow In The Head

5. Coming Soon got talking to Bill Murray about Ghostbusters 3, and the star seemed quite open to returning to the franchise. However it does all depend on the script. I’m guessing the paycheck is important too!

This is what went down at the interview:

Q: You play a hero in “Ghostbusters” and a villain in this movie. Is it more fun playing a good guy or a bad guy? And what persuaded you to go back for the rumored “Ghostbusters 3″?

Murray: Well, you’re way ahead of me, but that’s okay. There’s someone trying to write a script for another “Ghostbusters” movie. There’s two fellows from “The Office” that are writing a script, but I have yet to see it. And I’m more involved with, you know, trying to get the dessert we order at lunch than I am with the new “Ghostbusters” sequel. (Laughter) But it’s possible. It’s a great idea that they hired these two guys to do it, ’cause I think it could be a fresh look at it. And it could be funny. We did a sequel and it was rather unsatisfying for me, because the first one to me was ‘the goods.’ It was the real thing, and the sequel, you know, it was a few years later, and there was an idea pitched. They got us all together in a room. We just laughed for a couple of hours, and then they said, “What if we did another one? Here’s an idea these guys have got.” So they had this idea, but it didn’t turn out to be the idea when I arrived on the set. They’d written a whole different movie. And the special effects guys got their hands on it, and it was just not the same movie. There were a few great scenes in it, but it wasn’t the same movie. So there’s never been an interest in a third “Ghostbusters” ’cause the second one was kind of disappointing, for me, anyway. But the third one could happen.

But you asked me a question about bein’ a bad guy and a good guy. It’s so much easier to be a bad guy. It’s a piece a cake. It’s a joke. (Laughter) And, you know, I keep saying, “Why do they give Oscars to guys that play bad guys,” ’cause it’s so simple. Play a good guy some time. That’s hard. Play a really, decent good person. That’s hard.

Q: So would you go back for “Ghostbusters” again?

Murray: Only if I could play an evil person. (Laughter) No, it’s mostly all about the script. I don’t have any obligation to the franchise or anyone. If the script were good and I thought we could do it, it’d be fun. But, you know, it’s only now that this has ever been a prospect. No one’s ever talked about it for a long time, ’cause the second one was the way it was. This is just kind of a clever idea. I think they see that, and the fact that every interview today has asked me about the “Ghostbusters” movie–every single person–means that there is some interest for it. You think you’re talking about the “City of Ember,” but I’ve answered as many questions about the “Ghostbusters” as I have about… well, not as many, but, I mean, on every single one. So there’s interest in it.

You really have to love how the interviewer shoe-horned Ghostbusters in to that first question. He must have been up all night working on that. I’m also thinking that there was a bet around the Comingsoon office as to whether he would have the stones to ask it or not.

Source: Comingsoon

6. Prince of Peace – God of War, a documentary by John Campea (who runs TheMovieBlog.com) is now available free online. The film got some kudos on the festival circuit and I’m sure that it will excite and divide people with an equal amount of passion. You can check it out here.

It’s like, free – so why not. That’s the beauty of film in the digital age – it can reach everyone.

That’s it for another week – see you at the movies!

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Bill Murray Interested In Ghostbusters 3!

Niall Browne — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 22:21:58 +0000

There is an old expression: “never hurry a Murray”.

Who would have thought that the Murray in question was Bill Murray?

Twenty years after showing no interest whatsoever in another Ghostbusters movie, Murray now appears to have embraced his Proton Pack wearing days and shown his first signs of coming onboard Ghostbusters 3.

While at a screening of his forthcoming film City of Ember at Fantastic Fest, he had a few things to say about his love of Ghostbusters.

Murray commented on his love of the first film – how the first 40-45 minutes was some of the best material that he’d been in and how “the wounds have healed” from Ghostbusters 2.

He talked about his enthusiasm for the films and how recording his voice-over for the new video game had him singing the Ghostbusters theme in the street.

It looks like we may actually see Murray return to the character of Peter Venkmen, but it all depends on the script. The actor says that the main problem with the second film was the reliance on special effects.

Maybe it’s just the cynic in me, but what also helps his chances of returning is that he’s going through a divorce, and he may want to earn back some money that he will be giving to his soon to be ex-wife.

Source: Aintitcool

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The Top 10 Inevitable Movie Reboots

Vic Holtreman — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 18:59:33 +0000

As we all know, Hollywood is the epicenter of not only fads, but also ~~ripping off~~ copying what works from other studios. We’ve all seen this before many times. One studio puts out a successful movie in some genre and within 6-9 months we see a bunch of movies coming out trying to capitalize on the popularity of the first one.

This phenomenon really took off in the early 1980s, with movies like Star Wars launching a new era in Sci-Fi films (yes, I know Star Wars was released prior to 1980), Superman starting the superhero movie trend, Friday the 13th and Nightmare on Elm Street giving us the wonderful teen horror genre (at least they were rated R back then). Rambo started the lone hero with enemies that were lousy shots and couldn’t kill him even with machine guns and Porky’s gave us the start of the raunchy high school comedy.

So I suppose it was only appropriate, and a matter of time before Hollywood, bereft of new ideas, decided to re-visit those old gold mines to search for a fresh vein to tap. But now we’re not doing remakes any more… oh no – now the big buzzword is: Reboot.

The first recent film to tackle this concept (and succeed) was Batman Begins in 2005. Warner Bros. took a once successful franchise that had been ruined utterly and completely by descending into tongue in cheek, replete with nipples on the Bat-Suit. As we all know, director Chris Nolan exceeded everyone’s expectations and cleansed our palates of the abomination that was foisted upon us by Joel Schumacher.

Warner Bros. followed this success with Superman Returns, which while it was profitable, was a disappointment to many, and didn’t really “reboot” the franchise. It seems like the next Superman film may actually try to do that (again). We also had the rejuvenation of the James Bond franchise with Casino Royale, which gave us Daniel Craig as the closest thing to the early days of the series and Sean Connery.

The Incredible Hulk reboot didn’t go as well as planned for a variety of reasons including poor marketing and internal conflicts.

So now that the studios have seen that it’s possible to do a reboot well (as opposed to recent failures like Planet of the Apes and The Pink Panther), the reboot trend is moving full steam ahead. Interestingly, the main target for source material seems to the very same era I mentioned above: the 1980s (give or take a couple of years).

Now technically some of the projects haven’t been reboots – a similar trend that’s emerging is to create an additional sequel to a movie franchise that ended 20 years ago. An example of this was Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull – which while successful, was not as huge a hit as Paramount had been hoping for. The fact that the term “Nuke the fridge” has entered the vernacular has more than a little to do with it, I’m quite sure.

On the “delayed” sequel front we also had Bruce Willis returning as John McClane in Live Free or Die Hard (aka Die Hard 4). While that was controversial due to dropping the rating from the usual R to a PG-13, it did well at the box office and was fairly well-received. We also had not one but two Sylvester Stallone sequels: Rambo and Rocky Balboa, both of which kicked butt IMHO.

Projects ready to hit the screen next year include J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek and McG’s Terminator 4. Other “dust off the concept” movies that are in the works include Child’s Play, Hellraiser, Ghostbusters and Beverly Hills Cop 4.

So this got me thinking… what movie reboots/delayed sequel possibilities are out there that haven’t been tapped yet? Now I’m not saying this is a good idea – I’m just saying that I’m betting there are “scriptments” floating around Hollywood for these well-known franchises.

Whether they get made before this trend runs out, I don’t know – but if they DO, you heard it here first.

Here’s the list, in no particular order:

1. Smokey and the Bandit (1977)

Here’s the movie that made both Burt Reynolds and Sally Field stars and beloved by the public. Just a fun, against the establishment, redneck fun movie.

Logic: Are you kidding me? With Sarah Palin as the Republican Vice-Presidential pick and the whole Liberal vs Conservative angst, the timing for a new version of this couldn’t be better!

2. Crocodile Dundee (1986)

This is the movie that made Aussie Paul Hogan a star. With his low key charm and self-confidence, he became and instant audience favorite. It spawned a sequel which wasn’t bad, but in 2001 they did a third movie which was a stinker.

Logic: Someone needs to make a casting trip to Australia to find a new Dundee – shouldn’t be too difficult… Australia seems to have a good supply of “manly men.”

3. Home Alone (1990)

The original starring Macaulay Culkin and directed by Chris Columbus is a classic. There was one sequel and a failed attempt at a reboot back in 1997.

Logic: It’s been 11 years since the last one, so you know that someone out there thinks “if we could only find the right child actor” they could make a go of this one again.

4. Back to the Future (1985)

Another beloved series, which starred Michael J. Fox and was directed by Robert Zemeckis. While the first two were great, the third left a bit to be desired.

Logic: Yes, this one should remain untouched, but it’s got a brand name, was a big hit for its time and I can just see some new spin on this (no doubt with characters that are annoying instead of endearing).

5. Revenge of the Nerds (1984)

Having been pretty nerdy myself at the time this originally came out, I thought it was hysterical. As usual, the sequels got progressively weaker.

Logic: You could almost argue that with the unending string of teen comedies, this is unnecessary. Well, yeah, it IS unnecessary – but remember we have a known title plus lazy screenwriters (no, not ALL of them, but we know they’re out there).

6. Rambo (1982)

Logic: Considering the fact that we just had a sequel, maybe some bright-eyed exec will think it’s time to re-cast this with a younger actor. Instead of a Vietnam vet I’m sure they’d be happy to use a black-ops Iraq war veteran as the hero.

7. Porky’s (1982)

If memory serves, this was the first really raunchy high school comedy (yeah, we had Animal House but that was college, big difference, right? RIGHT?).

Logic: See #5.

8. Mad Max (1980)

Mad Max was a little film that gave us the first big screen appearance of Mel Gibson (dubbed horribly with an American voice). Immediate cult classic -spawned two sequels, one good, one not so much.

Logic: You could almost argue that a reboot has been attempted already with this year’s clunker Doomsday. But it’s not really a reboot unless they use the original title.

9. Rocky (1976)

Logic: Similar to #6, Rambo and the same logic applies.

10. Lethal Weapon (1987)

The original team-up of Mel Gibson as the manic cop and Danny Glover was awesome. Again, each subsequent film was not as good as the one before.

Logic: While there have been many “buddy cop” movies since this one, again we have the “Lethal Weapon” brand name. Definitely reboot material – PLEASE do not bring Glover and Gibson back for this.

Well there you have it: The top 10 candidates for the movie reboot treatment.

So what do you think – do you have any that should be added to the list, or ideas for how any of these should play out?

Thanks to DenOfGeek for sparking some ideas.

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Screen Rant On /Filmcast Live Tonight!

Vic Holtreman — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 22:07:24 +0000

[UPDATE: If you missed the live show, you can download it here or grab it over at /Film.com.]

I thought that today I’d give you more advanced notice (warning?). Tonight I’ll be joining the gang from /Film again for their /FilmCast Live.

You can join in on the show live or download it in a day or two when it’s online (but the live version is MUCH more fun, including flubs and outtakes that won’t be in the final version).

It will start at 7PM PST/10PM EST tonight (Monday, Spetember 8th).

We’ll be discussing the abysmal Nicolas Cage film Bangkok Dangerous, Ghostbusters 3 plus the Batman 3 and crazy Captain America casting rumors.

So if you’re a Screen Rant regular visitor and want to join in on the fun, head on over and give a listen: /FilmCast Live.

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Ghostbusters 3 Is (Really) Moving Forward

Jamie Williams — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:31:36 +0000

Did Hell just freeze over?

Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky, co-executive producers and writers on TV’s The Office and the forthcoming Harold Ramis-helmed comedy Year One, have been officially hired by Columbia Pictures to write Ghostbusters III.

Take a minute and let that settle in.

This is not just another in a long-line of internet BS rumors started by over-zealous fanboys. No, this comes from Variety.

However, before everyone starts jumping for joy, let us remember that our buddy Clint Morris over at Movie Hole recently talked about how a third installment would probably never happen because Harold Ramis isn’t exactly on speaking terms with Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd.

And the trades were also quick to point out deals have yet to be made with the likes of Ramis, Murray, Akyroyd and Ernie Hudson. The studio basically wants to see how good (or bad) this script is before committing hundreds of millions of dollars to it.

To be honest, getting Murray involved with the production would be nothing short of a miracle. It’s been widely reported he’s been one of the main road-blocks in the film getting made.

That, and apparently the issues over gross percentages among the cast and director Ivan Reitman. So you can expect that will be a major issue involved with getting all parties involved.

Nonetheless, this is an interesting development. If the stars align and this all works out, we could see Ghostbusters III on the silver screen in a few years.

The question is: Do people still care enough to turn out to see it?

Source: Variety

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