Closer than ever... but now or never. Aykroyd lays down the "Ghostbusters 3" state of the union, speaks to Sony directly and is fantastically interviewed by Esquire's Michael B. Dougherty. Here's what we learned from the huge interview, which you must simply read for yourself.
Aykroyd's been working for free on draft revisions thus far and perhaps hints that the Stupinsky/Eisenberg draft was not totally scrapped. Aykroyd very hesitant to say anything clearly but it seems that they will have some sort of claim on the story and/or credit in the final product.
Murray may not have to sign off on the third film anymore for it to go into production, legally he may be out of the franchise approval process since he has said he doesn't want to be involved.
Aykroyd: Had Billy chosen to do the Eisenberg/Stupnitsky script of two years ago, it would be out this summer, and it would be a massive hit.
It's clear Aykroyd wanted the last script to happen. He was sure of it satisfying the producers and actors, especially Murray. Murray was indeed going to be a ghost in that draft, as he "requested" years ago. Yet, two years ago Murray laid down the law and stated that he wasn't going to be in that script. Aykroyd says that they would be leaving a hole in the story, for the off-chance Murray wants to slip in, as he tends to do. Sounds like they'd even rewrite for it.
Aykroyd: Of course, I'd love to have Billy call me tomorrow and say, "Let's go to work and start writing."
Then the tone turned. Aykroyd spoke directly to the studio, estimating the third film would gross over a hundred million but positing that his patience on the project was nearing an end and that the window of opportunity for the original players to be involved would be closing in the next three to four months.
Aykroyd: It's time now to sit down and make this movie, or you will lose your main principals, and you won't be able to make it without us, because we have rights, and now is time to make the movie... You don't take advantage of that in the next three or four months, I'll see you in Australia, where we'll be selling Crystal Head.
It sounds like Aykroyd has carried the torch for as long as he could, and if he is not going to get to pass it on, he will extinguish it.
Will "Ghostbusters 3" get a production number? Will Aykroyd pack up shop once and for all? Will we see Cohen's script with "incredible images" or sequels with solely the new crew and perhaps a "Man-hell-ton" bent?
This is it everybody, keep it tuned here for the exciting conclusion in Q1 of 2013!
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