Columbia Pictures Doesn’t Want Ivan Reitman for Ghostbusters 3

Well, this is quite the bombshell. Just weeks after Bill Murray trashed the idea of a third Ghostbusters film on The Late Show with David Letterman, dismissing the long-awaited project as “crazy talk,” Vulture is reporting that Columbia Pictures is now trying to oust 63-year-old series director Ivan Reitman in favor of someone younger. However, in accordance with his old contract, Reitman has exceptional creative control over the franchise, which includes director approval. Therefore, Reitman can’t force the studio to keep him on as director, but he can pretty much ensure that Ghostbusters 3 won’t get made without him.

Reitman—along with principal ‘busters Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis—have a deal stipulating that if any one of them disapproves of any aspect of the third film, they can kill the project. If Reitman isn’t on board, there’s really no way this film can happen. If you’re in any way looking forward to Ghostbusters 3, this is very bad news.

The Office writers Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky are turning in a second draft of the script in May. The film—if it goes into production—will feature the four original Ghostbusters training a team of younger recruits. If it’s successful, Ghostbusters 3 could spawn more films starring the new team. If not, we’ll always have Ghostbusters: The Video Game, which is basically a continuation of the film series.

Vulture dug up a fascinating quote from a 1989 Los Angeles Times interview, in which Reitman explains why no Ghostbusters sequel will ever work as well as the 1984 original.

“Ghostbusters 2 wasn’t as fun to make as the first one,” he said. “In comedy, the element of surprise is everything. And I think once that element of surprise is gone, once people know there’s going to be ghosts, there’s going to be big ghosts, and they’re expecting something big at the end, a lot of the tools that are at your disposal are gone.”

Bill Murray Talks Ghostbusters 3 (Spoiler Alert! Mass Hysteria!)

Funny, I was under the impression that Peter Venkman would be very much alive in Ghostbusters 3, but Bill Murray recently told the Daily Mail that the only way he’ll return for Ghostbusters 3—which will be directed by franchise veteran Ivan Reitman—is if he gets to appear as a ghost. This seemingly confirms earlier rumors that Venkman would be killed off in the highly anticipated sequel, which will reportedly team the original Ghostbusters with younger rookies.

“I said to them, ‘I’ll do it if you kill me off in the first reel,’” Murray told the newspaper. “So now they are going to have me as a ghost in the film.”

I’m really not sure how to take this news. To quote Dr. Venkman, “I feel so funky.”

(via /Film)

Confirmed: Ivan Reitman to Direct Ghostbusters 3

Surprised? You shouldn’t be. At the National Board of Review red carpet in New York City, Ivan Reitman—who directed the original Ghostbusters and its much-maligned sequel—told MTV News that he will be returning to the director’s chair for the third installment.

He also confirmed that the writing team of Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky (The Office) has submitted the first draft of a script.

“They have delivered a draft,” Reitman told MTV’s Josh Horowitz. “We are working our way through another draft... good work is being done and all of us have our fingers crossed.”

And so do we. But keep those expectations tempered, people. Yes, Reitman is on board, and yes, the original cast is returning, but let’s not forget that Eisenberg and Stupnitsky also lent their pens to Year One, that now-forgotten and universally panned 2009 historical comedy co-written and directed by Dr. Egon Spengler himself, Harold Ramis. Uh oh.

Reitman hinted that Ghostbusters 3 might begin shooting this year.

Ivan Reitman Confirmed for Ghostbusters 3

While the specifics are still unclear, veteran Ghostbusters producer/director Ivan Reitman has been “straight up confirmed” for Ghostbusters 3, according to Bloody-Disgusting. This could mean he will be attached to the film as a consultant, producer or even a director. My fingers are crossed for that last one.

The piece goes on to reveal that the story will involve the ‘busters reopening for business after being closed for an extended period of time.

Reitman’s involvement may not be all that surprising, but it’s great to see this project actually moving forward in a tangible way after all these years. Hopefully, the script by Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky (The Office) makes this film worth the wait.