Moviefone Editorial

Tag: ghostbusters-sequel

  • Dan Aykroyd Says He’s Written a ‘Ghostbusters’ Prequel

    Columbia Pictures

    Earlier this year, film fans were surprised to learn that another “Ghostbusters” movie is in the works, with Jason Reitman — son of original “Ghostbusters” director Ivan Reitman — helming a sequel set for release in 2020. And now, one of the 1984 and 1989 movies’ stars has shared plans for an ambitious slate of additional “Ghostbusters” projects, which he says could be hitting screens both big and small within the next few years.

    In an interview with The Canadian Press, Dan Aykroyd — who played Dr. Ray Stantz in the first two films, which he co-wrote with Harold Ramis (who played Dr. Egon Spengler) — discussed the new sequel, as well as his grand vision for the future of the franchise. That includes a ’60s-set prequel film — and potential TV series — following the adventures of a teenage Ray, Egon, and Peter Venkman (Bill Murray), which Aykroyd says already has a finished script, which he’s given to Reitman to direct.

    Here’s how the actor described the project:

    … I’ve written “Ghostbusters High,” where they meet in New Jersey in 1969 and we’re looking to do that as probably a glorified feature or pilot within the next maybe five years…. And it would lead to a television project and I thought of [Reitman] immediately for that.

    But Aykroyd added that that idea was “years away from the current project,” which has his and Reitman’s full attention right now. But down the line, the actor envisioned several other follow-ups to Reitman’s new film, which will then be followed by the prequel, which Aykroyd described as “a perfect button on all we’ve done up to that point.”

    This isn’t the first time the onetime Ray Stantz has shared grand plans for the ‘busters, only to have them fizzle over time. It took decades to even make the 2016 reboot, after all. But fans seem especially excited about Reitman’s new take on the property, and if it proves popular enough, it could indeed open the door for everything Aykroyd envisions.

    In the meantime, expect the new “Ghostbusters” to hit theaters on July 10, 2020.

    [via: The Canadian Press]

  • Leslie Jones Slams Jason Reitman’s ‘Insulting’ ‘Ghostbusters’ Sequel

    Leslie Jones Slams Jason Reitman’s ‘Insulting’ ‘Ghostbusters’ Sequel

    Sony

    While many “Ghostbusters” fans have been celebrating the news of an upcoming third film in the original series, one star of the recent reboot isn’t happy.

    Leslie Jones took to Twitter over the weekend to voice her disapproval of Jason Reitman‘s sequel, which will be a direct follow-up to his father Ivan Reitman’s 1984 and 1989 flicks. The Sony film will be entirely separate from Jones’s 2016 feature, and will not reference any of its characters or events.

    According to Jones, the move is dismissive and “so insulting,” essentially saying “f*ck us” to herself and the rest of the cast, including Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, and Kate McKinnon. The actress also referenced the hate her film received because of its all-female ensemble, noting sarcastically that this new movie would be “better with men” because, after all, “those women ain’t [Ghostbusters].”

    While Jones’s comments are a bit over-the-top, she’s not entirely wrong that Sony’s decision is kind of “a d*ck move.” After all, critics and fans generally enjoyed the 2016 film, which received mostly positive reviews despite some intense backlash from trolls who declared it a childhood-ruining abomination (and took much of their frustration out on Jones, who received such incessant racist abuse that she briefly quit Twitter). 

    But director Paul Feig‘s flick didn’t do big numbers at the box office, and Sony declined to move forward on a sequel as a result. The studio was eager to keep the “Ghostbusters” name alive, though, and continued to work on other projects centered around the property, ultimately leading Reitman to develop his new film.

    It’s unclear what the director’s feature will focus on, though the film’s first teaser suggests it will be a passing of the torch to a new generation of paranormal investigators. No word yet on whether or not original stars Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, or Ernie Hudson will appear. (Harold Ramis passed away in 2014.)

    We’re guessing at this point, Jones won’t be willing to make a cameo. Here’s hoping Sony reaches out to the 2016 cast anyway, though, as a gesture of goodwill.

  • ‘Ghostbusters’ Probably Won’t Get a Sequel

    GhostbustersWho ya gonna call? Not the “Ghostbusters” again, apparently.

    According to The Hollywood Reporter, the 2016 reboot of the franchise is unlikely to get a sequel due to “tepid box office.” Though Sony had initially said “there was no doubt … it will happen,” the studio is now mum about a follow-up.

    THR noted that the movie has earned $180 million globally, and has yet to open in some countries, but box office experts believe it will be difficult to hit $225 million. To break even, “Ghostbusters” would need to take in $300 million. That’s a big loss for a movie that Sony hoped would start a new universe, a la Marvel and DC Comics.

    Instead, it seems the studio is focusing on other projects in the “Ghostbusters” universe, including an animated movie and TV series.

    “We’re very proud of the bold movie Paul Feig made, which critics and audiences loved,” a Sony representative told THR. “It has enlivened a 30-year-old brand and put it into the modern zeitgeist. As a result, we have many ideas in the works to further exploit the ‘Ghostbusters’ universe.”

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  • Sony Exec Promises ‘Ghostbusters’ Sequel ‘Will Happen’

    “Ghostbusters” was either a big success or a bit of a letdown at the box office, depending on how you crunch the numbers (and whether or not you’re in the pro or con camp when it comes to the reboot’s very existence). But according to one Sony exec, the studio is satisfied with the film’s opening weekend performance, so much so that a sequel is all but guaranteed.

    There’s been no official greenlight yet, but that hasn’t stopped Rory Bruer, Sony’s president of worldwide distribution, from gushing about the property’s long-term prospects. In an interview with TheWrap, Bruer dismissed concerns that the flick’s $46 million opening weekend tally was a disappointment.

    “The ‘Ghostbusters’ world is alive and well,” Bruer told the trade. “I expect ‘Ghostbusters’ to become an important brand and franchise. … While nothing has been officially announced yet, there’s no doubt in my mind it will happen.”

    That’s good news to hear that Sony brass is high on the film, which notched both director Paul Feig’s and star Melissa McCarthy’s highest opening weekend tallies to date. And with some solid reviews — and very positive word-of-mouth from audiences — the studio is no doubt hoping the flick has legs at the box office, and can earn back most of its hefty $144 million budget.

    It’s also worth noting that the film’s stars are all high on returning for another round, with both McCarthy and Leslie Jones stating previously that they’d be on board for as many sequels as Sony cares to make. And the flick’s ending certainly left things open for more adventures down the road.

    Stay tuned to see if and when Sony officially announces “Ghostbusters 2.”

    [via: TheWrap]

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  • Melissa McCarthy Wants to Make a Bunch of ‘Ghostbusters’ Sequels

    "Ghostbusters" Red Carpet And Guinness World Record event, Marina Bay Sands, SingaporeThe “Ghostbusters” reboot starring a fabulous female foursome hasn’t even hit theaters yet, but two of its leading ladies say they definitely want to make a sequel — and the sky’s the limit on just how many follow-ups there are.

    That’s the word from Melissa McCarthy and Leslie Jones, who recently spoke with The Hollywood Reporter about the flick. McCarthy, who plays paranormal researcher Abby Yates in the movie, gushed about her fellow costars — Jones, Kristen Wiig, and Kate McKinnon — and said that she was down for a surprising number of sequels.

    “I would do 102 more of these,” McCarthy told THR. “I will literally show up for [director] Paul Feig and these women no matter what. I’ll show up for plays in a backyard.”

    Jones, who plays MTA worker-turned-Ghostbuster Patty Tolan, was equally effusive, telling THR, ” … [A]s many as they do, I’m there.”

    Right now, there’s no specific plan for a sequel, as Feig explained in his own interview with the trade, though he said he was open to the idea (“It’s such a fun world, the sky is the limit,” he told THR). We’ll keep our fingers crossed that fans will get to see more bustin’ in the future.

    “Ghostbusters” is due in theaters on July 15. Stay tuned for release dates for the next 102 flicks.

    [via: The Hollywood Reporter]

    Photo credit: ​Getty Images for Sony

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