While news of an all-female GHOSTBUSTERS came as a surprise to many, it’s now a double whammy of fright as Sony announce a further male-centric sequel.
The studio has launched Ghostcorps, run by original director/star combo Ivan Reitman and Dan Aykroyd, and the sister (or should that be brother?) project is intended to be more action-oriented in nature. Hence the reported drafting of Marvel talents Joe and Anthony Russo (CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER) and Drew Pearce (IRON MAN 3) to helm and script respectively.
A better title might be Ghostcoup, due to what appears to be a case of cold zombie feet over the Kristen Wiig-starrer. The juiciest detail here could be the involvement of Channing Tatum, who is apparently in on the production side, but also wanted to star.
The new development is part of a long-held desire by Reitman and Aykroyd to expand the franchise into another movie series, a TV show and other related products. After praising the forthcoming Paul Feig-directed effort, Reitman issued the following statement:
My primary focus will be to build the Ghostbusters into the universe it always promised it might become. The original film is beloved, as is the cast, and we hope to create films we will continue to love.
Fans everywhere will have something to look forward to, with His ‘n Hers instalments on the way. But this indicates Sony may regard ploughing ahead with an actress-led chapter as a risk that requires some testosterone-fuelled insurance. A shame.
Source: Deadline
Sam
Mar 10, 2015 at 8:35 pm
This isn’t a case of Sony getting cold feet at all. It’s been in the planning stages for the better part of a year, before Feig was even officially brought on board. He signed up to direct the all women Ghostbusters film knowing there would be other teams in other movies coming shortly after his was released. The plan has always been to build a “Ghostbusters Universe” with multiple teams & crossovers. Here’s Aykroud talking about it in September 2014: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/dan-aykroyd-wants-ghostbusters-become-733694
Steve Palace
Mar 11, 2015 at 12:25 am
Thanks Sam. If it is the case then an odd strategy has been deployed – why not just announce the whole Ghostcorp package in one go & avoid the ire from fans over what was seen as a purely female-led future for the franchise? It’s interesting to note Aykroyd saw a female team as being a third or fourth film back in Sep.
But what do I know? I’m not on the inside. From the outside it looks like they’re taking the wind out of Feig’s sails, intentionally or not. Happy to be corrected though.