As remakes and sequels flood movie theaters, people like to complain that Hollywood is all out of ideas. But that's not true. There is no shortage of original screenplays in Los Angeles. Go to any coffee shop, bar or Scientology Center, and yell, "I'm a producer!" You will be bombarded with struggling writers trying to pitch you their scripts.
But here's the thing: Filmmaking is a business, and producers are more likely to profit off of proven franchises than some untested new property. Take a look at the top grossing movies of 2018; it is Sequel and Remake City. Think about it - what did you see in the theater last year? Critically acclaimed original films like Sorry To Bother You and Annihilation? Or blockbuster sequels like The Avengers: Infinity War and Mission: Impossible - Fallout?
On the upside, many of these remakes and sequels are good movies. The right creative team doesn't just churn out the same film with a bow on it; they have fresh ideas for a captivating story that will engage a new generation. And now the son of original Ghostbusters director Ivan Reitman will get the chance to resurrect a beloved franchise. (Who you gonna call? Jason Reitman!)
In 1984, the original Ghostbusters was released, starring Bill Murray, Dan Ackroyd, Rick Moranis, Ernie Hudson, Sigourney Weaver, Annie Potts and the late Harold Ramis (R.I.P.) Viewers hailed the film as a comedy classic, that blended relatable workplace humor with the ridiculous supernatural world. However, the sequel failed to recapture the magic. 'Ghostbusters 3' lingered in development hell for decades, and was never made into a film. Two animated television series went on to carry the torch, and a 2009 video game reunited the original cast earned rave reviews from fans.
Paul Feig, the filmmaker behind Freaks and Geeks and Bridesmaids, directed an all-female reboot of Ghostbusters in 2016. It starred four very funny actresses - Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Leslie Jones and Kate McKinnon - but was maligned by moviegoers who didn't connect with the humor. Also, Ghostbusters fans were pissed that the movie ignored the original films and characters. The 2016 trailer became one of YouTube's most disliked videos; combined with the mediocre box office results, the franchise fell dormant again. Until now!
On Tuesday, Entertainment Weekly reported that Jason Reitman will direct the next 'Ghostbusters' movie, and it will ignore the all-female reboot. That means it will take place in the same universe as the first two Ghostbusters films. However, it is unclear if any of the original cast members will be involved. Reitman, who directed Up In The Air, Thank You For Smoking and Juno, didn't spill any story details, but he did share how excited he was to take the torch from his father:
"I’ve always thought of myself as the first Ghostbusters fan, when I was a 6-year-old visiting the set," Reitman told EW. "I wanted to make a movie for all the other fans. This is the next chapter in the original franchise. It is not a reboot. What happened in the ‘80s happened in the ‘80s, and this is set in the present day... This is very early, and I want the film to unwrap like a present. We have a lot of wonderful surprises and new characters for the audience to meet."
Regarding the 2016 reboot, Reitman stated, "I have so much respect for what Paul created with those brilliant actresses, and would love to see more stories from them. However, this new movie will follow the trajectory of the original film... The Ghostbusters universe is big enough to hold a lot of different stories."
Sony Pictures slated the next Ghostbusters film for summer 2020, and I hope they get a cameo from that lady who claims to have sex with ghosts. Variety reports that four teenagers are being tested for "mystery roles" - perhaps a passing of the torch? Reportedly an animated Ghostbusters film is also in development, so grab an Ecto-Cooler Hi-C to celebrate, GB fans! Once more, humans will be sacrificed and dogs and cats will live together in mass hysteria. Prepare to be slimed.
