Caffeinated Clint
Much like anything that goes away for a while (except perhaps a holidaying mother-in-law), everything eventually come back into style. Was the original “Ghostbusters” brand ever not in style, though? And if not, why then did Sony Pictures decide that the logo was bigger than the players a couple of years back and make a movie built around the brand and not the band? An answer not even Augustus S. F. X. Van Dusen can offer.
Good news for purists this week, with Sony announcing that the next film in the long-running series will indeed be the hankered-for sequel to the original 1984 and 1989 films. Sure, it mightn’t be the “Ghostbusters III” that Dan Aykroyd’s bank account prayed for back in 1999 but the Jason Reitman-directed film will still be a continuation of the events set up in the Ivan Reitman – Jase’s father – directed films.
Cue the excitement-fan and yank it up high!
So, the big question remains : Will the original players Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray and Ernie Hudson, be back?
Sure, sounds like it!
Aykroyd prematurely announced this project a few months ago, and back then stated he would indeed be involved in it. So, thanks to the always-eager Aykroyd, we’ve known for a while that Dr. Ray Stantz is a lock for Jason Reitman’s new film – even if it’s a small appearance just long enough to flog his Vodka brand on screen. Or so he says..
Ernie Hudson, who played Winston Zeddemore in the first two films, has confirmed his character is in the script too. The “Crow” actor, who seemingly hasn’t aged a day since the original hit, told The Daily Mail that ideally he’ll be joining the original crew for the 2020 release.
And Bill Murray (The one original cast member not so keen to reprise Dr. Peter Venkman a third time)? YEP. He’s apparently horny for it this time. Whether that means he’s playing a ghost in the film (as long rumoured) or his role will be far less significant than Aykroyd and Hudson’s, nobody knows yet, but according to both men, speaking in separate interviews, the usually disinterested thesp is uncharacteristically interested in joining them. Shit, if Murray will do a thankless cameo in Paul Feig’s 2016 reboot, he’ll do an appearance in a solid sequel to the originals, right? Let’s hope so!
Harold Ramis, who played Egon Spengler, sadly passed away in 2014. Man, he’ll be missed here.
So, going by Aykroyd and Hudson, all three original surviving Ghostbusters are said to be in the new libretto.
There’s also a fair chance – since this is a continuation – that we’ll see appearances from some of the other original cast members like Annie Potts, Sigourney Weaver, and Rick Moranis (he’s retired but ya never know…). Heck, maybe Reitman even plans to bring back William Atherton’s Walter Peck – that would be a treat.
The script reportedly revolves around four teenagers who get the “Ghostbusters” business going again.
Considering Venkman and Dana Barrett‘s (Sigourney Weaver) baby son Oscar from “Ghostbusters II” would now be pushing 30, it’s possible one of the kids is Oscar’s offspring, and Venkman’s grandson. And maybe he gets his granddad’s business going on – with a little assistance from granddad’s old co-workers? Speculation… but don’t be surprised if that’s a close précis of the plot. I dunno, just excited to guesstimate..
Internet scuttlebutt says the script is inspired by Netflix smash “Stranger Things” – in particular the element of kids brandishing the proton packs in that particular episode (below).
The new film, co-written by Reitman (“Tully”) and Gil Kenan (“Monster House”), is due for release in 2020. Check out the teaser, released earlier this week, below!
