There was a time when talking about “Ghostbusters” would not bring annoyance and headaches. Those days are long gone, and much like a Stay Puft Marshmallow Man exploding over a large city, it’s hard to avoid the fallout of the mess that is the “Ghostbusters” reboot.
Just when people had sort of calmed down over Paul Feig’s upcoming all-female reboot of the beloved “Ghostbusters” franchise, it was announced that Sony is planning on taking the Marvel Cinematic Universe-style approach to over-saturating a market with “Ghostbusters.” Because why not?
Adding to the mix of ugggh is Dan Aykroyd and Ivan Reitman, who gave us two perfectly fine movies about people busting ghosts and mocking the EPA, are now part of a new production company, Ghostcorps, which will oversee this new universe. “We want to expand the Ghostbusters universe in ways that will include different films, TV shows, merchandise, all things that are part of modern filmed entertainment,” Reitman told Deadline.
As a part of this new universe, it was also announced that Sony will be making an all-male “Ghostbusters” movie, so those dudes who hated the idea of women busting ghosts can now have their own thing, which they kinda already had with the first two movies. That sort of sounds like a reboot in the middle of a reboot, but it’s not. It’s part of the growing cinematic universe. Or maybe it’s just appeasing those angry, loud fans still upset over the Feig’s concept.
Reitman, who directed the two original films, told Deadline that this new reboot-within-a-reboot will build upon Feig’s film. And from there, this universe will supposedly expand into other projects.
This other reboot seems to have Joe and Anthony Russo (“Captain America: Winter Soldier” and episodes of “Community”) interested in helming the project, with Channing Tatum in a production role and supposedly interested in starring in it along with Chris Pratt. So we will have a new universe of “Ghostbusters.” Divided by gender because having men and women working side-by-side capturing renegade spirits from beyond apparently is too crazy in this day and age.
That is, if it will be a new universe. The problem is that Feig has already stated his reboot exists in a new universe where the original Ghostbusters never existed. And Aykroyd has stated he is still interested in a proper third installment, despite the fact Harold Ramis is dead and Bill Murray has no interest in returning. But given this is a franchise that takes place in a world involving the supernatural, I guess anything is possible. Except probably getting Murray back.
The JOE-DOWN 