The Ghostbusters III Blog

Jonah Hill and Kristen Bell Fuel New GBIII Rumors. We're Not Convinced.

2012-01-27T14:26:00.000-08:00

Two major celebrities tweeted photos of themselves with the car from Ghostbusters earlier today.

Sure, Jonah Hill and Kristen Bell would make fine Ghostbusters. Anyone who saw Jonah's work in Moneyball or who has avidly watched Veronica Mars and "understands" what Bell can do will get that. But these pictures shouldn't spur third movie rumors. The biggest tip-off? Ecto here is parked right next to the car from The Green Hornet, meaning the Ghostbusters' ride of choice isn't out for a shoot, it's just out on the lot. No special occassion. Just sittin there being pretty. And why not, it was shined up over the past few years for the video game and related events.

Hill and Bell are smart. They know posting something Ghostbusters related will get them buzzed about. It worked. Bravo guys. Click to enlarge screen shots below.

Sony Pictures Talks to Deadline, Murray Still a Spectre

2011-10-22T10:23:00.000-07:00

Lazy update time, from Deadline:"I’m told that the studio isn’t going to make it without Bill Murray. And as recently as last month, he had not read the script, or if he did, he has not reached out to get the dealmaking started."

Aykroyd Still Hoping for Murray, Admits GBIII May Move Forward Without Him

2011-08-29T07:02:00.000-07:00

Yeah, we've been slacking on the latest round of Ghostbusters frenzy. It's for good reason though, almost nothing new has been revealed. Ernie Hudson stated that he still does not know what's up. Dan Aykroyd said they still haven't heard from Murray. He is confident the movie will happen, as he has been for years, and that has been the cause for CNN to announce "DAN AYKROYD: GHOSTBUSTERS 3 IS OFFICIALLY A GO". Pretty terrible journalism.

The newest thing to come of this is D.A.'s posit that Ghostbusters is a brand big enough to move forward without Murray. He doesn't sound too keen to make that move though.

Aykroyd, He Tweets!

2011-07-12T21:53:00.000-07:00

Dan Aykroyd just tweeted this, playing with our little hearts. Hard to know what is real anymore. I mean he believes UFOs are real...

Two-fer Tuesday!

2011-06-14T14:45:00.000-07:00

Ok! Two minor updates. First and least importantly, Bill Hader was stopped and asked to reiterate his knowledge of Ghostbusters III. Surprise surprise, it's exactly the same info! As in, he hasn't heard anything. He's one of many front runners, so who knows if he will be ever involved, but if they were to announce this sucker at Comic-Con then Hader should be in the loop by now. MTV News fills in the rest...

Tags: Movie Trailers, Movies Blog

Meanwhile Hey U Guys by way of Toys & Gadgets has exposed some chatter about Ghostbusters 3 being a 2013 title from a Sony insert at the Licensing International Expo. Significant because this is the first time we've seen 2013 as the latest this movie would be in theaters (before it was winter 2012) and because it's right from the studio. Not a final confirmation though, because these Expos aren't about announcing films as much as they are about generating franchise opportunity buzz.

Ghostbusters has always been a summer movie, maybe 2013 is for the better. What say you?

Well, GB3 isn't Dead at Least

2011-06-01T09:35:00.000-07:00

After months of silence from cast and crew surrounding Ghostbusters 3, we have a status update in-that, it's not dead. Aykroyd talks the usual game below, the hope to have Murray on board, the cool story that's waiting to be told...

Word is still mum on Murray's commitment to involvement. Personally, I'm holding out for Comic-Con. If there's no announcement then, I give up. Forever. (Yeah right).

2011-05-04T19:30:00.000-07:00

Rumor: Murray Has Signed for Something Ghostbusters

2011-04-14T11:10:00.000-07:00

Whether he has signed for a sequel to the Ghostbusters Video Game or the third film remains to be seen, but I have it from a reliable source (I hate these kinds of posts too, but I do!) that this month Murray has signed to be a part of a Ghostbusters property. Either makes sense right now, as the Ghostbusters Video Game franchise is an easy commitment for Murray and cannot continue in it's truest form without his involvement. I will let you know more as I find out, probably at the risk of my life.

It Was As If A Million Ghostbusters Fans Cried Out...

2011-03-30T10:53:00.000-07:00

And were suddenly silenced. The New Yorker's sources link Bill Murray to starring as FDR in a film set to shoot THIS SUMMER. Let's face it. Murray is going after the Oscar. And not of the Dana-born variety.

Then again, who's to say he can't juggle a few projects? Especially if both are set in New York, as Hyde Park On the Hudson sounds to be... Hell, wasn't Natalie Portman in like 5 movies in one month this year? I dunno. All I know is, Ghostbuters was supposed to shoot this summer, and this role is likely to be one of the many things that Murray has been busied with thinking about.

Hey, maybe he can get Aykroyd and Ramis bit parts as cabinet members! Now we're talkin!

Bill Hader Would be a Buster in a Heartbeat

2011-03-15T15:17:00.000-07:00

Quoted at the Paul premiere by Entertainment Weekly, Bill Hader's thoughts on if he would be in Ghostbusters III...

“In a heartbeat. Oh my god. Are you kidding? Do you have to even ask? It’s f—ing Ghostbusters. Classic. And if the rumors on the Internet are true that it would start shooting this summer, I would like to remind everyone that I am available, as that will be during my hiatus.”

Bill, I would like to be the first person to say, welcome aboard to the Ghostbusters team in my heart.

Three Weeks After Stern... No Word From Murray

2011-03-14T14:31:00.000-07:00

Three weeks now after Murray chatted to Howard Stern about reading the Ghostbusters III script, we've got confirmation from Reitman in a Hollywood Reporter article that Venkman has still yet to report back on the script.

The best news that the Hollywood Reporter surfaces is that there is no makeable script for the Baywatch movie Ivan was reported to be eying last week. Along with Aykroyd on the Defenders, Ernie Hudson on Torchwood, Sigourney Weaver's extremely busy schedule, it's good to know that not everybody is rebooking their life in wait for Murray.

Ashton Kutcher Hates 3D, Somehow Connects Him to Not Being Cast in Ghostbusters 3

2011-02-25T18:24:00.000-08:00

I'm too tired to make sense of this article from "The Press Association". Feel free to try and interpret the quotes on your own, or wonder where they came from. Whatever the case, just know that Ashton will probably never be a Ghostbuster.

Shadowlocked Cooks Up Story About Dane Cook GB3 Offer

2011-02-23T13:30:00.000-08:00

Last week, Shadowlocked posted a decent article on what elements could make or break Ghostbusters III. Today they claim the google alert gods have sent Dane Cook their way, after they expressly named his style of humor wrong for the Ghostbusters series.

From the article:

My laptop chimed to alert me to a new email from one Dane Cook – "I have been approached to do this film. I might go for it now just because you don't want me to. So there."

Regardless of whether this is true or not, and it very well may be, a few recappers...

Dane is in the same boat as Ashton, they're both a Rotten Tomato compost heap, the producers probably won't go for it.
SNL members will be heavily favored.
Feelers are probably being put out for comedians, but nothing is anything until Murray reports back on the script.

In his defense, the guy needs a good role, he's as popular as he is for a reason, his stand up kills when live. That first great role just might not be Ghostbusters III. Let's just hope that Shadowlocked isn't abusing the easiest way to get traffic to your movie site: make up a trollriffic rumor about the third Ghostbusters and watch every single site report about it.

Until we hear more, there is no Dane Cook, only Zuul.

What Did Bill Murray Do Today?

2011-02-22T18:28:00.000-08:00

More interview nibbles thanks to YouTube poster SternGeek, as pointed out by Proton Charging. Listen to the whole thing below, key points listed first.

Based on tone of voice, I wouldn't over emphasize Murray "owing" Reitman anything. It looks like that was wrapped into his chatting about owing him a phonecall.
On New York: "I'm lazy. I like the energy of it, in LA you have to be a self starter, I'm a basically lazy person, i need to bump into people in order to have thoughts enter my brain, creative ones."
On Aykyord: "He's my friend for life".
On today's SNL Cast, rumored heavily to star in GB3: "I like this group they have now. I think this group they have now is very, very very good. I like these actors. These are the best actors since the first group, this group they've got."
On what he's up to today: "Today, you know what I'm gonna do, I'm gonna try to find that Ghostbusters script, that's over there somewhere. I have to call [Ivan] too."

Good way to end it. Sounds to me like bumping into Stern helped have that thought enter his brain :D

Howard Stern's GBIII Interview with Murray

2011-02-22T15:38:00.000-08:00

Howard Stern probably got the best interview out of Murray we could ever hope for in regards to the status of his reading the Ghostbusters III script. Constantly drilling on the question "why haven't you read it yet" gets a lot of different responses from Murray, some about how there are other things on his mind first and foremost (winning golf tournaments is a pretty good one, promoting the Get Low DVD is likely another) and others about his history with the franchise.

He puts forth some great points.

Con: Hasn't read it yet, it's on his desk... in his office, at his place.
Pro: But he has it!
Pro: He owes Reitman one. For what, I don't know, but that's a good thing!
Con: Ivan's puzzled Bill hasn't gotten to the script. (Could explain exactly what we mentioned yesterday about Reitman holding out on saying something).
Pro: He reflects on the group being very funny when together.
Con: Ghostbusters II had a great script in his opinion, then the producers changed it all. (We worry too, could that change in production?)
Pro: He says he'll get to it! Heck, he doesn't want to hurt anyone's feelings.
Con: But it's not the first and foremost thing on his mind.

So, 4 positive notes, 4 negative ones. Even in an in depth interview, Murray remains as elusive as ever.

Do yourself a favor and read Screen Rant's write up on it over here. Gotta give them credit, this is the third scoop they've internetted as of late. For even more Murray quotables, you can also check the Howard Stern show out on Sirius tonight. And thanks for Proton Charging for beating google alerts to the punch and posting this on their Facebook.

Ivan and Ashton Update us on GB3

2011-02-21T13:25:00.000-08:00

New: Ivan Reitman politely says Ashton Kutcher could be a posibility for a new Ghostbuster, but, and this is key, in front of Ashton Kutcher. You pretty much have to say yes in that situation. Though Ashton seems to have conversed with Reitman about it at least once recently.

Old: Murray still hasn't read the script or at least reported back on it yet.

In Between: Is there something here they're not talking about? Ivan definitely hints that there is an unpolite way to describe Murray's interest status.

Shadowlocked Lists 10 Things GB3 Needs to Get Right

2011-02-18T14:26:00.000-08:00

A few articles like these have been put out by various online groups, but Shadowlocked recently posted a list that nails down some of the bigger points. Most of these are easy to agree with (though Gozer need not return really, it wouldn't be unwelcome, the video game covered that territory well enough in my opinion and made it work), but we'd like to add our own addendums as well.

11) Don't sweat the soundtrack. Let's not worry about creating a hit soundtrack with original songs this time around. The first theme still does the trick and we don't live in an era where hit soundtracks based on comedies are huge sellers anymore. See: Will Smith creating raps for his movies. Nobody will lament the fact that they didn't get a new Kanye song about the supernatural out of Ghostbusters 3.

12) Score. The franchise has seen two different composers for each film, the second film's soundtrack didn't do much memorable but the first film's score would benefit from being revisited, updated and reworked by a new composer (since Elmer Bernstein's passing). At the very least, an original score should be included.

13) Keep it scary. Between the marshmallow men, living paintings and balls of green slime, some pretty horrifying creatures are featured in the series (see subway, library ghosts, Scolari brothers, terror dogs, Washington Park beast...) More of that please.

14) Keep it business. Ghostbusters is as much about running a business in New York City as it is about stopping the supernatural. Show the red tape, get the realism. While I agree that mentions of the World Trade Center have no place in the series, the new "see something say something" culture of New York is an interesting area to explore for a company carrying around nuclear devices on their backs, running through the streets. Actually, that gives me a pretty good sketch idea...

What do you think? Any missing elements to get right that would make or break this next film as a Ghostbusters movie?

A Look Inside the Mind of Murray

2011-02-03T13:29:00.000-08:00

While we all wait with baited breath on Murray's stamp of approval for the Ghostbusters 3 script, Screen Rant brings to our attention the words of Ghostbusters I, II, & III producer Joe Medjuck from the ArcLight Q&A last week who shed light on some neat facts.

Bill has heard it’s a good script, but he hasn’t read it. Bill’s like that – he just says he’s busy.
Harold tells a very funny story about the several months it took to get Bill to read the script for Groundhog Day. Every week or so, [Bill] would go up to Harold and say, “You know, I read 10 pages… they’re really good. Is it going to stay this good? He hasn’t even read 10 pages [of Ghostbusters 3] yet, to the best of our knowledge.

Well at least he's heard it's a good script. So who knows if he'll ever really read it... we may just skip that confirmation and move along to wondering when production will start. It might be a while until we hear word, our leading men don't have any big projects coming up for a while that will pit them in the interview seat. Perhaps the Oscars can flush out a Murray appearance. Until then, I'm sure Murray has a few more karaoke sessions to crash.

This is Screen Rant's second Ghostbusters scoop.

Finally, Someone Interviews GB3 Writer Lee Eisenberg!

2011-01-27T13:34:00.000-08:00

Lee Eisenberg, one of the two part writing team with Gene Stupnitsky and writer finally got interviewed thanks to his alma mater, Connecticut College and The Day. In the article he talks about writing for The Office and the process he's gone through for the past few years revising the Ghostbusters 3 script to be a tighter, funnier movie. No update from Murray yet on his nod of approval. Article here, quote below.

"We've been working really closely with Ivan Reitman for a couple years on it. Dan Aykroyd has been really involved. Harold Ramis has been very involved - we're sharing a story credit on it with him. Then we reworked the script. I mean, that script went through a lot of rewrites, and it kept getting, we think at least, tighter and funnier. It took a little bit to really understand the tone of a movie like 'Ghostbusters.' It's really scary when you're writing characters you grew up on. ... The last thing you want to do is disappoint. Right now, we have a script we haven't worked on probably in a couple of months, and we're waiting for Bill Murray to read it. People seem excited about it, and the studio seems high on it. ... We're very proud of it. We worked really hard on it, and I think it'd be a really fun movie."

Our take: we're glad the script has gone through this long process. Ghostbusters indeed has an extremely hard tone to nail, between horror and comedy, scifi and adventure. Special thanks to Big Shiny Robot for surfacing the article.

Do you live near Connecticut College and want to hear Lee speak? Tomorrow night (Friday the 28th) he will be on campus to chat tv and screen writing. Who knows, you might even be able to get some GB3 tidbits out of him.

WHO: Lee Eisenberg, former writer and co-executive producer of "The Office"
WHEN: 8:15 p.m. Friday
WHERE: John C. Evans Hall, Cummings Arts Center, Connecticut College, Mohegan Avenue, New London
ADMISSION: Free
CONTACT: (860) 439-2500

Reitman Talks Motivation Behind GBIII Involvement with WSJ

2011-01-19T14:48:00.000-08:00

The Wall Street Journal: Your Next Ghostbusters 3 News source...

As some great some not so great reviews of No Strings begin to pour in (5 fresh, 5 rotten... with fresh ones from Villiage Voice and Variety... not bad!) Reitman has continued to talk to the press about tapping a younger generation. The Wall Street Journal got him to talk about why he would mess with his past and got a great quote out of Ivan...

“We have a way of doing it,” Reitman insisted. “I wasn’t going to do it until we found that out, and it is a generational story, actually - it’s effectively a generational story and it’s very well written.” Despite his confidence with the script itself, Reitman admitted that the prospect of actually making the film intimidates him. “We’ll see if it actually gets made. It’s a scary thing to think about for me, because I’m fucking with my past, but at the same time, I don’t just want to chicken out on the challenge. But it’s a great story and great characters.”

He goes on to say that GB3 would be his next project if it happens at all, and if not, you can expect more character driven comedies that he has in development. Not bad! Hopefully with Yogi's positive box office and some good reviews under Reitman's belt, our Ghostbusters crew can muster even more support! Your homework: Go see NO STRINGS ATTACHED!

Cinema Blend's Extended Reitman Interview

2011-01-19T14:38:00.000-08:00

Cinema Blend just posted their full interview with Ivan Reitman over on their site. Again, it's essentially the same information as their last posting, only with a few more questions. Biggest nugget of knowledge Reitman drops is that he is not totally out of contact with Bill Murray. He's chatted him a little, not a lot.

Take it as you will.

Deadline's Sony "Insiders" Say Without Murray There is no GB3

2011-01-13T13:37:00.000-08:00

It's kind of obvious, but it hasn't really been reported before. Essentially, Deadline has a friend at Sony Pictures who puts it bluntly that without Murray, this incarnation of Ghostbusters 3 is dead as we know it. More specifically:

"The studio won't even think about forward on a $150 million film unless Bill has a closed deal and a commitment," said an insider. "It's too huge a risk to do any meaningful prep, hoping he shows up."

Fair enough. I don't think anyone wants this film without a big dose of Murray. My guess would be, if he passes on this script and puts his foot down, it'll be the last shot for this threequel. Then the franchise would spark anew eventually even more years down the road, but closer to Star Trek, without the full original cast to pass the torch. My guess is also... he won't pass. Murray is going to be in. Just call it a hunch. Or blind optimism.

Ghostbusters 3D Still on the Table

2011-01-11T14:19:00.000-08:00

Reitman continued to speak to press as part of the No Strings Attached premiere week, today speaking with USA Today and confirming that he is open to evaluating if 3D is right for Ghostbusters 3. He states that the studio is interested, clearly because of the money it can rake in, he knows it would be fun but is aware that 3D movies work better for funny talking CGI animals as opposed to funny talking live action scientists.

He goes on to reconfirm Sigourney's interest and remention waiting on Murray's script approval.

This is USA today's second scoop on Ghostbusters 3 in the last year. We previously reported on the 3D rumors coming out of ILM about a year ago, for that article and our thoughts click here.

Coming Soon's "Exclusive" With Ivan Reitman

2011-01-09T12:57:00.000-08:00

ComingSoon.net posted up an "exclusive interview" on Ghostbusters III with Reitman yesterday, in the sense that their exclusive was the exact same exclusive interview that Cinema Blend got. Regardless, Ivan again stressed that the internet rumors are wrong (we will assume he means casting Anna Faris and Bill Hader, Bill Murray becoming a ghost and other things we know to be old and already proven false news).

What we do get out of Reitman is more pumping up about the movie's potentially awesome quality. He's quoted, "it's got a really good story, this one. Maybe the best of the whole series. I hope we get to do it."

Well that's cool!

Reitman Says Everything We Know is... Right...

2011-01-08T15:49:00.000-08:00

Cinema Blend apparently sat down with Ivan Reitman this Friday and got a paragraph out of him regarding Ghostbusters 3. We're a little weary of their exclusives after they started the false rumor about Judd Apatow being involved almost two years ago. This time around Ivan Reitman is quoted as saying "Virtually everything you’ve read on the internet [about Ghostbusters III] is not accurate."

He then goes on to confirm the script is finished, Gene and Lee wrote it, they are doing preliminary casting talks and the script is off to Bill Murray for approval. If you follow this blog, then this information is nothing new to you, in fact, Reitman just confirmed that everything we know is right! Make sure to check out Cinema Blend's full article for extra bits and pieces.

No Ghosts Left for Ghostbusters 3?

2011-01-04T11:44:00.000-08:00

I saw this story last week but browsed it too fast to catch anything new. Ghostbusters News and their fans were on top of it... the Chicago Sun-Times got a new quote from Aykroyd that pits the opening of Ghostbusters 3 as one where no ghosts remain due to years of hard Ghostbusting work.

No ghosts are left because we took care of them and stored them all. We took all the ghosts out of the hotels and the streets. But then an event happens and something comes through from the next dimension.

That would put the Ghostbusters in a defunct status without making them failures ala Ghostbusters 2, and perhaps freezing too many improvements on their technology, keeping the classic designs. I like it.

First Confirmation that Murray is On Board Ghostbusters 3?

2010-12-22T13:20:00.000-08:00

Whoa. Entertainment Weekly just got a great quote in an interview with Sigourney Weaver, where she talks about the Scream Awards, chatting with Bill Murray there and yes, him confirming that they are going to do the third film. But, but, and why must there always be a but, she also says that nobody has read a script yet. WTF?

Hader Joins Faris in Not Knowing What's Up with GBIII

2010-12-15T14:16:00.000-08:00

Bill Hader chatted with IndieWire about the Ghostbusters III casting rumor started by What's Playing and purportedly furthered by Dan Aykroyd last month. Hader's response? Very similar to Faris' answer... another case of "I'm obviously am very flattered, but I don’t know anything about it." Well at least he takes it as flattery! Read more at IndieWire above.

While Faris and Hader have not heard anything from the studio, it still may be too early for Sony to be making phone calls. Nobody ever said they were cast, just in the running and liked by the studio. These new articles really don't add anything to the conversation except to say that things aren't up to full speed production-wise just yet.

Anna and Aykroyd Talk Ghostbusters III

2010-12-15T13:04:00.000-08:00

A quick update, since not much new is revealed. Ghostbusters News posted the first Faris interview about Ghostbusters 3 via Making Of. Sounds like she hasn't even talked to Aykroyd about it, certainly not on set, would be excited to do it, though she has no idea how she could be involved.

Below we have video from an Aykroyd's red carpet Yogi interview conducted by HollyScoop HollyScoop. He talks about how working with Faris is always great, that he's not the director and she's have to read the script of course.

Pretty standard business reply, sounds like he doesn't want to alienate Faris if for some reason she's not in it.

Aykroyd Lets Loose a Weird Meccano Set Analogy

2010-12-13T13:29:00.000-08:00

The Globe and Mail's Monday Q&A with Dan Aykroyd got right to the point about Ghostbusters 3. Aykroyd proceeded to dull that point a bit.

We have an excellent script. Really good, probably one of the best comic scripts I've ever read. We've written [Bill] Murray the role of a lifetime. It's just a matter of, now we've got the plans, but the Meccano set is disassembled. The bolts and paint and struts have to be held together so one day we can make the movie.

Hard to make heads or tails out of this one. Script praise gets better and better with each interview, that's for sure. This might be the 5th time he's uttered the phrase "role of a lifetime" for Murray. The rest sounds like a similar boys-in-grey grey area to his last interview, where he mentioned now it is just a matter of doing what must be done to produce a film.

Let's hope the next interviewer can push him with a "what the hell does that even mean, is it greenlit or not?".

Brand New Aykroyd Interview! Same Old Info.

2010-12-06T14:26:00.000-08:00

Aykroyd's First Yogi Bear interviews are off to a start and Entertainment Tonight wasted no time getting right to Dan with Ghostbusters 3 questions!

Unfortunately it's not as much of a grilling as a retelling of the same old info. We could try to infer that the script is greenlit and they are in production from his comments about producing, but it's too close to call.

Working With Murray on Will Ferrell's To-Do List

2010-12-06T14:11:00.000-08:00

Will Ferrell dropped a little interview love on Bleeding Cool for MegaMind's release. With it came an admission that he would love to work with Bill Murray.

He also drops mention of Ghostbusters 3, but as something that he might check into, not something he's already a part of. "I’ve always been such a big fan and I think he’s such a great comedic actor, but also a really interesting ‘regular’ actor. I should try getting in the mix for Ghostbusters 3."

EW: Anna Faris Has Not Joined GB3 [UPDATED]

2010-11-25T02:15:00.000-08:00

That's pretty much the whole story. Entertainment Weekly got a hold of Anna Faris' rep and the rep confirmed that Anna has not joined Ghostbusters 3. They say the same for Forte and Hader, but don't say they've talked to their reps. No mention whether or not Anna is still in the running. No mention about the casting call. But official cast membership for Faris is officially a rumor busted. EW article tracked down courtesy of Proton Charging.

[UPDATE!]
It was only a matter of time before Dan Aykroyd commented, with his interviews kicking into full swing for Yogi Bear this month. According to second hand info from one of Bloody Disgusting's readers, Dan was on WGN Radio Chicago where "He confirmed that they are casting and open to finding some fresh faces, adding that both Bill Hader and Anna Faris have been mentioned as 'strong possibilities', although it's still too earlier to call. Aykroyd, who plays Dr. Raymond Stantz in the franchise, also mentioned Eliza Dushku's name again, also confirming (what we already knew) that both Bill Murray and Sigourney Weaver are returning."

It's good to get another confirmation that Murray is returning, there hasn't been a solid one yet and this is closer to that point.

Unnamed Sony Contact Talks Faris, Hader and Forte.

2010-11-23T15:43:00.000-08:00

What's Playing takes their first step into the Ghostbusters rumor arena with a few chats to their industry friends.

First we have a conversation between them and a pal at Oak Lawns casting who confirms they've been given a heads up that "Sony will be auditioning 'young male and female actors aged 18-30' for a role in the film."

Next What's Playing contacted a friend at Sony who isn't directly involved in the project's momentum currently but had heard Bill Hader and/or Will Forte were being looked at for a role. No word on Faris involvement, but the Sony source does point out that the studio generally digs her.

Now for my ever present thoughts on the rumors. Forte and Hader have very solid resumes behind them now, though we've yet to get many characters with depth out of either of them. I do like that neither guy is age 18, I certainly wouldn't look forward to a team of teen busters. Neither has outstayed their feature film welcome ALA Seth Rogen. Forte rocked it in MacGruber last spring, though sadly it somewhat bombed. All-in-all, fine casting ideas... and let's not forget that Hader has spent some solid time with Sigourney as of late, working on PAUL.

Thanks again to Proton Charging for the heads up on this one!

Ghostbusters 3 Probably Not Filming In Chicago

2010-11-23T15:27:00.000-08:00

A few reports are coming in from unnamed "insiders". This first one from On Location Vacations lists an unnamed source quoting that Ghostbusters 3 will not be moving to Chicago and instead will be staying in New York City.

Proton Charging postulates that Chicago auditions may be located there due to Harold Ramis' Company Ocean Pictures, which also presides in the Windy City. Kudos to PC for the heads up.

Ghostbusters 3 Casting is GO. Also: Is Anna Faris on board?

2010-11-22T14:43:00.000-08:00

Feature Film Auditions, a site that has listing after listing for current movie casting, posted a call for Ghostbusters 3 principals and background actors last night! From the looks of it, this site is mostly a copy/paste job from some other, more official listing area. Enough work has gone into it that it seems legit. I've contacted the site's creator, Alan Baltes to see if we can get a source for his casting call.

Screen Rant picked it up next, their first breaking news Ghostbusters article. Props to them.

So here we are. We've never seen a story like this one before, more indications that Ghostbusters III is closer than ever. We seriously need an interviewer to get on Aykroyd about a production number when he starts doing rounds for Yogi Bear. Speaking of Yogi, Anna Faris, who plays beside Dan Aykroyd's animated Yogi Bear this Christmas, is named as a principle player! She also was in Ivan Reitman's "My Super Ex-Girlfriend" and Bill Murray's Lost in Translation, which strengthens her Ghostbusters connections significantly. Who knows where this information comes from just yet but this is worth getting excited about. In the wide world of hot girls, only a handful of them have the comedic chops that Faris has, and she would be a welcome addition to the team. Hopes are that she can take this a step past her slapstick roots. Comedic roles like this for women are all too far and inbetween. (Think of one movie Sarah Silverman could have starred in...)

MEANWHILE, want to BE in Ghostbusters 3???? Here's the information on where to submit!
You can bet that my fiance is sending her headshot tonight ;)

One more thing, the casting call in Chicago might mean that they are looking for Second City folk. Makes sense, right?

[UPDATE] Proton Charging points out that the listed casting director Richard Mento adds legitimacy to the posting, as he did casting for none other than Ivan Reitman's own No Strings Attached, coming in 2011.

Production Weekly Reports May 2011 Start?

2010-11-02T12:28:00.000-07:00

Zack Parks writes in about a tweet that Production Weekly sent out last night :

@prodweek Hearing that @SonyPicturse is planning to put Ivan Reitman's “Ghostbusters 3” into production in May 2011. #whoyagonnacall

If No Strings Attached (Ivan Reitman's film with Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman) bombs, we as Ghostbusters fans are in trouble. Ashton, as we all know, has not had a good box-office track record. I mean, the man's last big hit was Valentine's Day, but it had a major A-list ensemble cast to work with.

As did Year One. And quite possibly, Yogi Bear (considering it's being released alongside TRON: Legacy). How did so many GB alumni (besides Sigourney Weaver, Ernie Hudson, Annie Potts and Rick Moranis) get involved in risky (and in some opinions bad) movies??

Now Production Weekly is a fairly respected professional film industry news source, however a year and a half ago they listed Ghostbusters 3 in production as a Judd Apatow film, which was later proved to be a bit preemptive. Admittedly, the mistake may have been Cinema Blend's.

As for Zack's worries about No Strings and Yogi Bear, call me an optimist but I don't have the same qualms. Sony wants this movie now, and if they're going to get it and revive the franchise, they're stuck with the original property owners for this last round, regardless of their other projects right now.

Besides, they're setting up Yogi to be one of the only kid's players around Christmas so it's bound to rake some cash, and No Strings will be floating around come Valentine's Day weekend, which can mean good money.

14 Pages of Ghostbusters: Hellbent Reviewed

2010-11-01T15:56:00.000-07:00

I thought I would post my thoughts on the 14 pages of Dan Aykroyd's 1999 Ghostbusters 3 draft which were posted up on Proton Charging this weekend. Read those here and here.

I write this knowing full well that had this script ever been optioned, it would have seen major overhauls with some time in Harold Ramis and Ivan Reitman's hands. I trust they would iron out some of my qualms and these scenes could have been pretty worthwhile.

Proton Pros

A bust at a bar. Sounds fun and has yet to be done!

Accessing other dimensions, slowly with Glueball particles, something I've never seen talked about in a film before and which fits in great with the Ghostbusters world.

Egon's line about socks. Funny!

Thinking about 20 years worth of soul storage and transfers.

FRV... unexplained but we can assume it means 'Free Roaming Vapor'. Love the lingo.

Ghostbusters Jersey and the fact that it's totally gross. Awesome. I love how it sounds like a futuristic trash dump.

It seems like this script is leaning towards a 'send the ghosts back where they came from' story and delving into the technological mythology far more than the second Ghostbusers. Feels new and less like a retread. I like that.

"Ghostbusters, Ready to Belive You Since 1985" That just feels right.

Containment Unit Cons

Could use a little more Venkman. We don't see him at all over the course of 14 on screen moments, wonder where he is or if he is even included in the script. We know Murray wasn't too keen on a third film, so they were prepared for that, it seems.

Those names! Franky, Moira, Carla? Ughh... then again names like Winston, Egon and Janine are kind of odd and we've come to accept them. Naming is hard. I'd rather we have Frank, Mora, and Carly.

Franky and Lovell are completely ridiculous. Even in 1999, these characters would be laughed at. There's just a hair too much character in these descriptions, they all just come with too many accessories.

"FRANKY: A pierced, purple haired, short, stocky, bulked up muscle builder, Jersey punker." That's just three ridiculous things too many. Just having a Jersey muscle builder is a bit much, without having him be pierced and purple haired. A pretty forced delve into youth culture. I think it would be enough just to say, he's from Jersey.
"LOVELL: A cool, lanky, handsome FUBU devotee, with shades, dreads, and gold jewelery . He is attempting to grow a moustache." Ok, I'll accept the dreads, maybe the shades, but gold jewelery and FUBU? Is this supposed to be worn along with Ghostbusters gear? Add in sunglasses and now it's just silly.

The Master GB Rap. What does Master GB even MEAN? Dear goodness. Leave the song writing to the Bobby Browns and Ray Parker Jr.s of the world.

Aykroyd ditches the firehouse for a converted city sanitation garage. While I'm totally willing to accept additional locations, especially converted city property, I wouldn't want to lose the iconic Firehouse. That should always be HQ, even if a car isn't running in and out of it.

Neither Here Nor There:

The bartender has Ghostbusters on speed dial? Does this mean they live in a future overrun with Ghosts? It would seem so, considering the size of the Ghostbusters operation. A society overrun by Ghosts takes away from the reality of the series a bit though. Then again it also states that they are on hard times right now. Maybe the bar just frequently haunted? Maybe don't have a fleet of mechanics working on 30 cars?

Apparently Aykroyd calls the No-Ghost Logo a "Mooglie"

Converted Buicks, Packards and 80's Cadillacs. That would be a sight to see. Toy makers would have loved it.

Overall

I was most excited about the next step for their technology. First we saw them develop tools to track, wrangle, capture and store ghosts. Then we saw them develop tech to change the polarity of ecto residue. I got to play an early build of the Video Game and it originally had portal-esque dimension jumping gun, but I never knew how this would fit into their system as a useful tool for busting ghosts. We ended up with slime tethers, freeze rays and boson dart blasts, which worked great for gameplay but would be less interesting in a film. Interdimensional tinkering makes some great movie fodder though, and I am all in on that respect.

The new characters don't say much here so it's tough to judge them properly. The fleet of Ghostbusters sounds great in structure, but I don't feel that New York should possibly need that many Ghostbusters.

I don't know about the rest of the script, it's known that Manhattan goes to hell, but the concepts seem a little too traditional hell for me. There are red devils and a king pin satanic character named Luke Sifler. Not exactly the original mythology I now expect from a Ghostbusters film.

Some of these ideas are really awesome and it wouldn't hurt to see them in some way in the next installment. Others need a reality check, but that's to be expected in an Aykroyd script. Whatever the case, I'm excited to see what today's script looks like, especially if any of these technological elements are put to play.

Happy Halloween! ProtonCharging posts 14 pages of Aykroyd's 1999 Ghostbusters III Script!

2010-10-31T15:06:00.000-07:00

As promised, Proton Charging just posted a slew of selections from Dan Aykroyd's Ghostbusters 3: Hellbent draft from 1999. This isn't the film that is currently in production right now, so consider this what could have been. Click here or below for a good read!

Ghostbusters 3 Confirmed in PreProduction by Columbia

2010-10-29T12:52:00.000-07:00

Superhero Hype just posted up a Press Release from Columbia Pictures that is mostly about Chiefs and Presidents at the studio and the Spider-Man franchise. Why are we reporting on it? Because nonchalantly mentioned at the bottom of the press release is this little blurb.

Columbia Pictures is set to ramp up production on some of the most prized and recognized franchises in motion picture history. In addition to Spider-Man, the studio is in production or pre-production on films such as The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Men in Black 3, Karate Kid 2, Total Recall, and a new chapter in the Ghostbusters franchise, among others.

While this month Ghostbusters Italia had a Sony Rep say that things are in motion, this is the first official written confirmation ever from a studio that pre-production or production is currently happening on Ghostbusters 3.

I was a little weary going into this, but there it is, spelled out in an official press release. Anything can go wrong (Bill Murray), but for the first time it really feels like everything is going right (Bill Murray). I will be sending a follow up email to the press release's writer in case he might give us any more clues. No idea if he would respond to such an inquiry, so we will see!

Thanks for the tipoff @Zack Parks!

Oooh, it was a Chilean Miner Shout Out...

2010-10-19T18:32:00.000-07:00

A lone figure in a jumpsuit rose from the earth, jumpsuit, helmet, vest and sunglasses donned. His face covered, it seemed a Chilean Miner had made it to the Spike Scream Awards. Then came the announcement. It was Bill Murray.

So, mystery solved. The construction gear and the black smudge were a shout out to our brave Chilean friends. I also love Sarah Silverman's face when Bill looks her way. She's so psyched. Watch the high quality broadcast from the show below.

If the clip's audio sounds really badly sliced together to you, there's a reason. Bill originally came out to the Ghostbusters theme (as seen below), which we can assume Spike couldn't get the rights to. They also rightfully cut out about a minute of screaming and wrongfully cut out Bill's thank you to the director and actors from Zombieland.

Edit: This was a shortened version of what actually aired. In reality, Bill's full thank you got included along with the Ghostbusters theme! Well alllright!

Of note, this article makes October the biggest month for Ghostbusters 3 related news since... ever! Maybe it's because it's October, but to me there seems to be a ramping of paranormal activity. Imagine the average amount Ghostbusters 3 news is a Twinkie... well according to the number of articles on the site, this month's news would be a Twinkie 35 feet long weighing approximately six hundred pounds.

Thanks to Proton Charging for the heads up and Ghostbusters Fans for somehow getting the footage a day in advance!

Eliza Dushku is Gonna Call a Ghostbuster

2010-10-18T14:55:00.000-07:00

MTV recently checked in with Eliza Dushku and found her game for a role in the third film. She hasn't been offered anything, but states it would be an honor to play beside Sigourney and the boys. Dushku goes on to name drop Dan Aykroyd as an old friend and says she'll give him a call. Aykroyd had previously name dropped her about a year ago in another MTV article.

Thoughts on Dushku as a buster? Us, we'd prefer someone with more comedic chops... but Ernie and Sigourney weren't SNL or Second City alumni, and they made Ghostbusters legendary just fine.

Sigourney on Ghostbusters 3: "I would be surprised if we didn't do it"

2010-10-17T20:33:00.000-07:00

Shock Till You Drop has posted a new interview with Sigourney Weaver where we repeats some information we know and offers two new factiods. One is that Reitman's latest project with Portman/Kutcher is in editing and has perhaps been one of the reasons that have pushed Ghostbuster's 3 back a step. The other is that she would be surprised if they DIDN'T film the third movie now.

Q: Has there been any talk of your involvement in "Ghostbusters 3"?
Weaver: Yes, I got a call from Ivan Reitman. I think everyone who's involved would love to get together again. I think everyone's working on really trying to create a wonderful original story. I just said, "That would be fun and please make sure my little son Oscar grows up to be a Ghostbuster." And he said, "Absolutely." Then I think he directed this other film and is busy editing it, so it kind of got put on hold. But I would be surprised if we didn't do it.

Also, there is a photo of her looking like Vigo. That is all.

Bill Murray IN FULL GHOSTBUSTERS UNIFORM at the Spike Scream Awards!

2010-10-17T00:10:00.000-07:00

Before your containment unit explodes thinking this is a sign about the ever present Ghostbusters 3 rumors, Twitter and Access Hollywood report he said this on stage "It doesn't mean anything, it's just the only thing I had clean." Classic Murray. Here are the photos we have so far. Many can be clicked for larger versions.

Bill accepted awards on stage twice, once for "best cameo" in Zombieland in full uniform, then a second time with construction gear accepting Zombieland's "best horror movie" award. No idea what the construction thing is all about, perhaps a Ghostbusters 2 nod? I've got a friend who was there, and I am waiting on his text back, will update when I know more and we will all see on Tuesday's broadcast.

Meanwhile, there's one thing we can take away from this... if Murray is indeed reviewing the third film's script right now, he just showed a hearty love for the boys in grey and probably got a lot of love back, in the form of a standing ovation.

Bonus stage approach pic.

Sony Representative Confirms Script Approval

2010-10-15T14:39:00.000-07:00

So this might be the biggest news ever, the Italian faction of Ghostbusters fans recently held a Ghostbusters Day, wherein a Sony representative confirmed that the studio has approved a script!

As Proton Charging rightfully states, Bill Murray's approval is the big question on everybody's mind right now.

Film Drunk Probably Sets the Record Straight

2010-10-08T14:55:00.000-07:00

Disclaimer: Today's post is all about undisclosed sources "close to the project", so take everything here with a shaker of salt.

I trust FilmDrunk enough to give it to us straight. In response to yesterday's flurry of Dan Aykroyd Vanity Fair interview speculation, the site quotes a source close to the project that repeats a lot of what we already know or could assume, with one juicy tid bit.

We know: Ramis, Reitman and Aykroyd are on board. They want to shoot this spring for a 2012 release.
We could assume: Aykroyd isn't completely rewriting it, but his input will be listened to.
Juicy tidbit: The studio likes it, and the script goes out to Bill Murray for approval... now!

If ever there was a time to pray to Gozer, this is it.

As long as we're on the topic of undisclosed sources and script status, I had a twitter back-and-forth with @MysteryExec last month, a twisted, foul mouthed twitter account run by someone who claims to be a Hollywood executive. In his first tweet, he let it slip that he had read the latest draft of the GB3 script by Eisenberg and Stupnitsky. I inquired further and he admitted in a backwards way that the script is good!

Tweet 1, Tweet 2, Tweet 3

So kids, if you care to believe the word of a Drunk and a Mystery Man, go for it! I do, but that's just me :D

Aykroyd Talks Yogi Bear, GBIII, Not Much New

2010-10-05T21:28:00.000-07:00

As far as new information goes, the best I can infer from the new Vanity Fair Daykroyd interview (can I call him that?) is that he still considers the script to be in first draft form (bummer, from here it was seeming like 4th draft) but he does reemphasize the fact that the Year One scribes wrote a hell of a part for Bill Murray, talking up his confidence in said script.

Read more about Dan's feelings on passing the torch and how he is apparently too old to drive the caddy at Vanity Fair's site.

Dear Ghostbusters 3 Composer

2010-10-04T10:45:00.000-07:00

Don't you dare write a lick of music without an Ondes Martenot

That is all.

Aykroyd: Script is very good, 80% Chance of Ghostbusters 3 Happening!

2010-09-25T16:31:00.000-07:00

I hate to just rip off Proton Charging post after Proton Charging post, but they're all over it this evening!

A second Aykroyd interview conducted by Virgin Radio 9 5 3 from the same event reveals a few nice little tidbits, Aykyrod calls the script "very good" and gives the film an 8/10 chance of happening. I like them odds!

In previous interviews, when asked about the script, everyone would say "if we can get a good script we'll see." By my count, this is the first time we've had confirmation that the script is at any level of good.

Also of note, 3D is still up in the air. Personally I'm against it, but its not like having 3D is going to stop me from seeing the film.

Thanks PC!

Aykroyd's Latest Interview Hints at Hindu Influences in Ghostbusters III

2010-09-25T15:55:00.000-07:00

Proton Charging just posted Vancouver's City TV interview with Dan Aykroyd on GBIII, where he reveals a few choice nuggets on what a new Ghostbusting team may look like and what new threats may entail.

The best quote is hands down the following:

And the threats will get stronger as we go out of the age of Kali Yuga to the post 2012 apocalyptic cataclysm. You're gonna need Ghostbusters, let me tell ya, everybody should take a course.

This calls for Wikipedia research!

Kali Yuga (Devanāgarī: कलियुग [kəli juɡə], lit. "age of (the male demon) Kali", or "age of vice") is the last of the four stages that the world goes through as part of the cycle of yugas described in the Indian scriptures. Hindus believe that human civilization degenerates spiritually during the Kali Yuga, which is referred to as the Dark Age because in it people are as far removed as possible from God.

Demons? The end of the world? This is some really creepy religious lore that I've never seen dug up before for a big screen story. We've seen Sumerian, Carpathian, now some sort of Indian/Mayan mix seems perfect.

Meanwhile, the structure of the team is more fleshed out. Before we knew he was eyeing a girl for the crew, but it wasn't clear if there would be two new dudes, three, an army of them, more girls ect. We're looking at a core four again, a young woman in her early 20's and three young men in their early 20's.

I say, can we get Emma Stone in there? She's the right age, has great timing, aint a wafer and has already worked with Bill Murray.

MovieFone's Back-to-Back Sigourney Interviews: She's optimistic!

2010-09-24T17:34:00.000-07:00

Yesterday AND today MovieFone posted interviews with Sigourney Weaver that had her extensive thoughts on the third film. By all accounts they are positive in tone and optimistic in nature. Sounds like she's jonesing for a reunion!

From the 1st Interview:

MovieFone/Cinematical: There's been a lot of discussion about the possibility of 'Ghostbusters 3' happening, and I won't ask you about the status of that. But whether it's this film or a new installment in another franchise, how do you look at sequels differently than original projects? Are they a chance to further explore a character, or do you perhaps see them as a reward for the fans?

Weaver: I think that I loved working with those guys, I've continued to work with Bill Murray over the years at our little theater, The Flea, in New York, and I haven't thought about any aspect of it except wow, it would be great if we could create a great script and get to work with each other again. So I don't think we have any ulterior motives, but just to see what happens if we came back together. I was opening the door a lot at a friend's house last year for Halloween, and I had so many little Ghostbusters come to her door. I thought, what is this? It's just amazing. So if we want to bring in a new generation of Ghostbusters for a new generation of audiences, I think that would be fine.

From interview number 2

MovieFone: What's the latest you've heard on 'Ghostbusters 3' ?

Weaver: I think 'Ghostbusters 3' will happen, because we all really want to work together again. I hope it does.

Those are the facts, jack. You Again is coming to theaters this weekend. Brace yourself.

Aykroyd's Last Wine Tour = GBIII Shooting this Spring?

2010-09-12T15:15:00.000-07:00

Now here's some news we like to hear! Aykroyd isn't planning any liquor tours for the foreseeable future. The reason? According to the Winnipeg Free Press, he has said that Ghostbusters III expects to shoot this spring! This is great news for a few reasons, one, the small paper does not headline with this information, so they are not trying to be sensationalist and stir up a media frenzy (we're looking at you Bloody Disgusting/Cinematical/Dread Central). Two, through all the rumors about Ghostbusters III production over the past few years, Aykroyd has kept a schedule of wine promotions busy. Only now is he calling off the travel.

Read the article here, where WFP writes "This will be the last liquor tour for Aykroyd for awhile. He said much of his time will soon be taken up by Ghostbusters III, which begins shooting next spring."

That would mean a nice lead in for a 2012 summer release. Also, the first time a Ghostbusters movie would be shot in a warmer month, the last two were fall then winter. We'll be sure to keep an eye on his schedule and make sure it stays free!

Weaver says Oscar will be a Zach Galifianakis type

2010-09-01T15:52:00.000-07:00

In the swirl of "no brainer" Ghostbusters news being passed around this week (those of us following all knew we'd be seeing Oscar as a Ghostbuster) we've got a new quote from Sigourney Weaver on what type of kid you could expect Oscar to grow up to be...

"He would be grown up, and he'd be like Zach Galifianakis."

Can't find the exact source for this, but SyFy has posted it so we're willing to believe it. While Zach himself may be a hair too old for the role, there aren't many people who can deny that his brand of humor would be welcome to the project. That would also put our new buster to be a bit of a burnt out slob, with some serious social issues. Not really a Michael Cera character. We need some legit casting please!

Ernie Hudson Has a Big "But"

2010-08-26T15:17:00.000-07:00

Meanwhile, Ernie Hudson had a nice long sit-down with Big Shiny Robot while promoting his new movie Doonby, where a second video game and third movie were talked about at length. Not much new came out of the convesation, but he did confirm he's talked to everybody, even Murray!

A small chunk of his convesation: "Over the past year or so I’ve talked to the main players. I’ve talked to Sigourney Weaver. I’ve talked to Bill, Danny, Harold and Ivan Reitman. Everybody is like, 'Yah, we want to do it, but…' And that’s the 'but'. Getting everyone to agree with what needs to be done."

So let's hope they kick that "but" in the "butt" over the next few months and get this show on the road. Check out BSRobot for more of the interview and support Ernie by "liking" Doonby over on Facebook right here.

In a Round-About Way, Paul Rudd Would be Excited to do GB3

2010-08-26T15:01:00.000-07:00

Now don't get too enthusiastic but... in an interview with MTV, Paul Rudd got to talking on the subject of casting rumors that had him situated around a remake of the classic comedy Oh God... and Ghostbusters III became a topic of conversation.

Quoth the Rudd: "I heard that same [sort of] thing with 'Ghostbusters 3.' It was that same kind of-- it's super exciting, and I love all the projects. I'm like, 'Wow, cool! Maybe that means I can get that job!'"

In the end, he hasn't heard anything about Oh God and we can assume the same with Ghostbusters 3. But it is good to know he is/was excited about the prospect! Not that he's our number one pick to play a buster' or anything... (he is).

Read/watch the full thing on the MTV Movies Blog

Scott Pilgrim Not Here to Save the World

2010-08-04T14:31:00.000-07:00

Fans have their doubts about adding Michael Cera to the Ghostbusters series (he's a shoe-in for the Oscar role in Ghostbusters III, heavy involved in the comedy business, blonde hair, right age, right connections to Harold Ramis after Year One), but not everyone knows that even Michael Cera has doubts about himself trying to fill the big boots of the original Ghostbusters. USA Today quotes Cera with

"Ghostbusters is the most influential movie of my childhood... and I would not want to be the reason that Ghostbusters was all of a sudden bad."

Good point, there is a lot of pressure there and we can all learn from Shia's introduction into the Indy series that a young popular actor gets picked to pieces in this sort of role. When asked about the project, this seems to be the general consensus among younger comedians. Personally, I think the Cera could be great in the role, it just needs to be written against the typical characters he tends to play.

via Ghostbusters News

Belated Bill Interview Up On NYMag

2010-07-30T14:31:00.000-07:00

When Murray was making his first press rounds for Get Low in April, he spoke to New York Magazine about life, the universe and everything... including Ghostbusters. Even if he never plays this role, it's still fun to see a classic Murray quote on the matter with each interview. He never quite makes the same analogy twice. From the mag:

"I may do it just to keep people from talking about it, because it’s driving me nuts. It’s like a did-you-sleep-with–Marilyn Monroe kind of thing. You’re like, huh? What? Someone starts a story that we’re making a movie and it has this amazing life. I don’t know why. I guess people really wanna see it or it’s just the only newsworthy thing in my Internet file or something. I don’t know why everyone asked me about it because I’m not talking about it, except to you. But even on the street people are talking about it."

Read more words from Murray over on the New York Magazine website!

"It's a crock" New Bill Murray Interview Up

2010-07-19T15:10:00.000-07:00

Proton Charging has alerted us that a new interview with Bill Murray has popped up in GQ magazine. It explains how he came to do the voice of Garfield in the terrible movie adaptation and labels Ghostbusters 3 talk as "all a bunch of crock".

Most interesting of all are his thoughts on Year One, and how the film has hurt the chances of GB3 seeing the light of day. He even goes as far as to say "I never went to see Year One, but people who did, including other Ghostbusters, said it was one of the worst things they had ever seen in their lives."

Now he doesn't specify WHICH Ghostbuster he's referring to, but if you take into account that Harold Ramis directed Year One (and who bad mouths a movie they directed less than a year afterwards) and him saying Dan Aykroyd is the "only one I much of. He's great. And I owe him."... then you can pretty much assume it was Aykroyd that didn't enjoy the writing.

Our best bet now is that the script is taking a long time because Aykroyd and Ramis are really taking it back and giving it their own personal touches.

But it's not all bad news, as recent as SXSW in March, Murray was in the mind-set of "oh Christ, I should just do this thing". Good enough for us!

Until then, "a generation awaits".

Speak of the Devil, Aykroyd Back with New Quote

2010-05-11T15:53:00.000-07:00

Proton Charging's fan base does it again by finding this awesome interview from My San Antonio, which does all of three things

1) Clears up the false rumor that Aykroyd called up Murray in an aggressive manner

2) Offers up that Murray has a really awesome and unique role in the next film

3) Puts the script at it's 2nd or 3rd completed draft!

Check it out above!

Updates from Multiple Busters

2010-05-11T15:11:00.000-07:00

These bittles are old news to most of the internet, so my apologies. Harold Ramis and Dan Akyroyd have both been chatting up Ghostbusters 3 to the press, touting different dates for the films release.

First up is Harold who ensures us through an ABC 7 news interview that the film is real and will be coming in December of 2012. Let's hope it's before the Mayan date for the end of the world. Bummer.

Aykroyd also recently confided in Ghostbusters fans a date that runs about a year earlier, Fall 2011. It sounds like somewhere in between Ramis' and Aykroyd's estimates is safe. Also check out this video for some off the cuff remarks on how the current Ghostbusters trap and car will be seeing new models in the third film's script.

This all makes good sense, as Ivan Reitman is definitely filming the film formerly titled "Friends With Benefits" right now. They can sort out script and preproduction stuff out right now and he can focus on directing for the next few months before tackling Ghostbusters. I was actually in West Hollywood on Sunday and saw filming notices for driving scenes for an "untitled Ivan Reitman project", and "Friends" fits the bill.

Ivan's cast for "Friends" is awesome as well (what was the last bad Natalie Portman movie you've seen?), so hopefully he can release an incredible comedy before Ghostbusters 3, earn some street cred with the kids and offer GB3 as a crowning achievement.

Thanks mostly to Proton Charging for always setting the record straight.

Murray Pulls an Instant 180

2010-04-27T19:48:00.000-07:00

So pretty much right on the heels of the Movie Fone interview, Coming Soon got their shot at some GB3 questions as well...

"When asked to clarify whether making the movie really would be a "nightmare," Bill Murray told us this, 'Well, it’s true, but we made a great movie and then we made another one, you know? So we went to the well twice and it’s almost impossible to do the second movie as well. Only horror movies get better as they go along because they have more money to spend for more crazy effects. I actually thought the other day--it’s just become so irritating--but I actually heard people like, young people that really [heard] of the movie when they were kids and I thought, 'You know, maybe I should just do it. Maybe it’d be fun to do.' Because the guys are funny and I miss [Rick] Moranis and Annie [Potts] and Danny. Those people are some people that were really, you know, I miss them. I think that’s really a big part of it.'"

So... take that for what you will, but it's true of this project, it's part nightmare, part horrible rumor and part something we'd all have a lot of fun seeing come together again. Thanks to Zack Parks for the heads up!

"Get Low" Blow

2010-04-27T15:42:00.000-07:00

Bill Murray was back in the interview seat for the Tribeca Film Festival and his movie "Get Low", when a bunch of questions concerning New York and movie came up, as one might expect. Bill, in his biggest turn around in enthusiasm for GB3 yet, called a third installment of the series a "horrible rumor". Yikes. Let's hope it was in a tone of over-the-top-ridiculousness instead of soul-crushing-negativity. *fingers crossed
Full interview at MovieFone

Who Haven't They Called? Alyssa Milano!

2010-04-20T16:07:00.000-07:00

Taking an interview with Flick Cast for her new sitcom Romantically Challenged, Alyssa Milano chatted a bit about making the Ghostbusters video game and addressed rumors of her involvement in a third film. Alas, no studio phone calls have been made her way regarding a part in the fabled film, as might be expected. After all, officially shouldn't her character be stuck in 1991?

Jonah Hill Afraid-a Big Shoes

2010-04-16T20:04:00.000-07:00

Funny dude Jonah Hill spoke a bit with Collider about his thoughts on being one of the names in the Ghostbusters casting rumor bin, outing himself as a big fan of the flicks and possibly feeling unworthy of picking up the pack. Two important things to take out of this: 1) No casting is taking place, still! 2) You're not crazy for loving Ghostbusters II. (Sorry about the photo above, Jonah, I had to. You're a comedian, you understand)

Come on Sony...

2010-03-17T14:47:00.001-07:00

Ditch the marketing plan and let us have something from the original creators.

http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2010/03/ghostbusters_3_ivan_reitman.html

Meeting the Man

2010-02-23T17:59:00.001-08:00

I wrote a 4 page treatment for Ghostbusters III in 1993. I was in 3rd grade. When I found out that Dan Aykroyd was doing a signing, I dug it up and had him put his signature on it :D

GB3D?

2010-01-22T13:23:00.001-08:00

Marketing blog MarketSaw got everyone talking this week about the rumor that Ghostbusters 3 might come to us in 3D.

This to me seems like a good and bad rumor for a few reasons.

Good: This makes sense if Spider-man 3-D won't be happening next summer for Sony. If Ghostbusters goes 3D, then you can be sure that the studio is not fooling around with this movie. They are going to put some serious cash and effort into making it amazing.

Bad: The style of a Ghostbusters movie would certainly lend itself to some amazing 3D scenes. But that's only half the film. The Ghostbusters spend a load of time investigating, shooting the sh*t, hanging around the firehouse and talking to government officials. I don't need to see a 3D rendered mayor's office with Bill Murray's 3D face popping out in front. Let's hope that the third dimension doesn't push the effects beyond the importance of the story. Like Ghostbusters 2.

Reitman Will Direct GB3

2010-01-13T10:53:00.000-08:00

Though it was pretty much a sure thing, it was good to hear from the horse's mouth that Ivan Reitman will direct G3.

Thanks to MTV for asking the big questions.

Hey Sony, Who Ya Gonna Call?

2010-01-12T21:53:00.001-08:00

I was reading about Spider-Man's move from 2011 to 2012 on Forbes and they brought up a good point... "Sony is now left without a big franchise release for summer 2011".

Gee, if only Sony had a huge franchise waiting on the wings, pretty much ready for green light and buzzworthy on every portion of the internet...

HINT. HINT.

Ivan Reitman Meeting Again and Again with Dan and Harold

2009-10-22T14:26:00.001-07:00

In the News reports from a London Film Festival interview with Ivan Reitman that Ghostbusters III is still closer than ever, with meetings and rewrites aplenty occurring the get the script to greenlight. Encouraging after last weeks slew of discouraging news!

Link drop!

2009-10-22T12:12:00.000-07:00

Learn more about the Ghostbusters video game than you ever thought possible thanks to Game Informer.

Ernie Hudson's positive news on GB3, twice!

And of course the Ghostbusters one man acapella cover.

Thanks to Rockiltree for sharing several of these.

Murray Interview: "I don't want to do it yet!"

2009-10-14T13:55:00.001-07:00

In a recent interview Murray states that he still hasn't seen a full script and puts emphasis on his requirement of a good screenplay to get him involved. Let's go Lee & Gene! Meanwhile, Bill is looking good, no?

via Proton Charging

Celebrity Ghost Stories

2009-10-12T16:37:00.001-07:00

Ray Parker Jr. Reference FTW

Video Recaps | Full Episodes | Webisodes

Reitman Spills a few Ghostbeans

2009-10-12T15:14:00.000-07:00

With more not-really-news on GB3 than you can shake a stick at, wading through it all can be a google alert from hell. Ivan Reitman has been talking shop, reconfirming his involvement, dropping hints that the new film has a role for Sigourney Weaver (hooray!) and will take place after a now-defuct Ghostbusters must reopen for business. The script is in it's final stages, the rights holders have approved the basic story and Sony needs to make a call now on whether the project is go.

Meanwhile, Dan Aykroyd was on a Ghostbusters-reference-heavy episode of Family Guy last night!

Via, every entertainment source on the interweb.

Harold Ramis Talks GB3 with Movie Web

2009-09-30T14:50:00.000-07:00

"There will be inter-dimensional creatures visiting New York. And we will deal with it. That's all I am allowed to say at this point."

Greatest quote ever?

Harold Ramis talked to MovieWeb about Ghostbusters 3, and the results were a bit different than we've been hearing all summer. In a good way. Gone are the cautious warnings that come with every interview that this movie is waiting on the right script. No, this interview reads as if the film has been greenlit. But movieweb doesn't ask whether or not it is greenlit, they assert that it already is a go, without a correction from Harold Ramis.

This thing still isn't official, but this is as candid as we've heard Mr. Spengler. He speculates some hilarious options for what Egon has been up to and bits about Dan Aykroyd's old script, which it seems may be playing a part in this film.

It's sentences like this, that make me feel like this film is go and the process is about to begin:

Harold Ramis: Every young actor will be mentioned. No one is signed or has been approached.

That means after the LA Ghostbusters meeting, this project is in no way dead and is continuing. Is the script go? We're dying to know! What do you think?

Harold Ramis in LA for a Ghostbusters Meeting

2009-09-23T14:08:00.000-07:00

More word that Ghostbusters 3 things are happening, Harold Ramis visited LA this week for a meeting concerning the sequel. Everybody chant it now... greenlight, greenlight, greenlight..

I got it from ProtonCharging, who got it from GB.net, who nabbed it from the Chicago Sun-Times, who got this from Joe Willie Namath. We don't know how, we don't want to know. So I would appreciate it if you wouldn't hose this thing down, you know, give it your own personal rinse. Thank you.

Ivan Reitman Chills with Bill, Has GB3 Script

2009-09-21T12:46:00.001-07:00

More reports about the third film's script are making the rounds thanks to an interview with Ivan Reitman conducted by Jam! Showbiz. The interview reveals that Murray and Reitman spent several hours together last week. Ivan also calls the latest draft of the script "promising"!

I promised I wouldn't get excited...

via Proton Charging

The Script Has Been Drafted

2009-09-17T10:50:00.000-07:00

Somewhere, out there in the world a script for Ghostbusters 3 is sitting in the possession of Dan Aykroyd. He has read it, as of Friday the 11th. Is the story good enough to get everyone to sign off on the idea? We may not know for a while. Here is what Baltimore Magazine scooped up...

BM:Will Slimer be making a cameo in the upcoming Ghostbusters movie?
DA: I’m going to see the script in the next few hours, I’m about to read the third script, I’ve been submitted it and we’ll see what happens.

Via Proton Charging

Ghostbusters I & II Double Feature with Ivan Reitman!

2009-09-02T10:28:00.000-07:00

The Ghostbusters films will be shown back-to-back in Santa Monica, CA this Friday beginning at 7:30pm at the Aero theater. Whats even more rare than seeing Ghostbusters II on the big screen? Try an intermission discussion with Ivan Reitman! (schedule permitting)

You better believe I'll be there. Then headed home for a revisit of Ghostbusters the Video Game to complete the eve!

Get a Gozerian Society T-Shirt!

2009-08-27T17:30:00.000-07:00

Normally I try not to talk about anything but Ghostbusters: The Video Game (which at one time was considered the third film) and the actual third film (which is currently being scripted) but this is a little different...

A good friend of mine has offered an amazing Ghostbusters t-shirt for sale. The bonus here is, it's actually a decent design, setting it apart from a lot of thrown together Ghostbusters T-Shirts that flooded the internet with the release of the video game. Wrought with really cool, yet subtle Ghostbusters references, wearing the Gozerian Society t-shirt will render you too Zuul for school!

Check it out and consider a purchase, my buddy Absinthetic would probably appreciate it!

The GB3 Blog Review of Ghostbusters: The Video Game

2009-08-26T21:34:00.001-07:00

Here it is, my long awaited, long winded thoughts on the entirety of Ghostbusters: The Video Game for the XBox 360. Where is my review of the Wii? Well I didn't finish it (yet!). Wii became really tedious a few times (try finding the outline of that door in the spider part of the hotel, that's where I gave up) and the action was so stop and go with collecting items that it was really hard to play for more than an hour or two at a time. Sad, because I loved the animations and little touches throughout. But did they really need to practically PAUSE the game every time you found one of 9 hidden items in a short little level? Totally took me out of the reality. I will finish it eventually, when I get bored on a future day.

Starting Up the 360: My excitement for this game was through the roof (obviously) as I started it up late June 16th. Then my X-Box made me suffer through a excruciatingly long update AND forced me to make an avatar. The process was grueling. I wanted to bust so badly! At last my rushed avatar was created and I moved on to the game... and it's six or seven opening screens. So many studios and production houses, it was ridiculous! But no matter, I had a game to get to.

The Opening Sequence: Man alive, here we go! By the time I was playing this, I had seen the opening sequence leaked months and months before. One thing I wish they did was just take their time and let some suspense build. The sequence with the two security guards is so rushed, and we hardly get a sense for what the characters are like. The wii version of this is actually a little better in my opinion (and the dialogue in general for the wii). I kept the subtitles on for the game, which came in handy when there was a LOT of action on screen and Murray was muttering his one liners. I also like to read the text and keep the actual animations in my peripheral vision, so I didn't scrutinize their odd facial expressions.

The Firehouse: Opening in the firehouse is awkward. We really don't get a good shot of the rookie and Janine starts the whole shebang off with some really terrible delivery on a phone call. Come on Annie Potts, I know you can do better than that. That's followed by a sleepy first encounter with the Ghostbusters as they realize the rookie has arrived. The comedic timing for the editing of these lines was really a let down, something that the Wii cutscenes excelled at but the 360 dropped the ball on. Then things picked up, a wave surge of paranormal activity got the guys talking technical jargon. Here they let you roam free, hoping that you will find your way to the basement where Slimer had escaped to. I wanted nothing more than to just explore everything in the firehouse right away... so it was a huge disappointment to keep getting pinged by Ray and the crew to come downstairs. Sigh. Fine. I'll go see about Slimer.

Basement: The basement scene is where the game really starts to get good. You accidentally zap the containment unit, letting a ghost escape... a nasty one too... and then get to explore the never-before-seen subbasement of the Ghostbusters firehouse (a lot of real estate for a New York City plot of land!). Part of me wanted to believe that this is the area we see in the Real Ghostbusters where the bigger containment unit is kept. Anybody think the same? The first time I played through this level, I got really confused about the containment streams. Ray let me know that I could manually select a containment stream at any time, so I thought that you had to manually select it whenever you bust a ghost. This lead to a lot of trouble later on in the hotel... I really wish someone had shouted "hey if you shoot the ghost long enough, it will automatically turn into a capture stream!!!". With the sloth in the trap (Slimer = gluttony, Sloth = well.. sloth, beauty queen ghosts = vanity... catch any more?), Slimer escapes and we need to go to the hotel. They put you in front of the Ecto-1, giving you the option to ride out to the hotel or explore the firehouse. At last! I was so giddy to explore the firehouse that I accidentally pressed a button and we were on our way to the hotel. Damn it! I wanted to go back but the save system was ridiculously complicated. It stated that if I quit I would lose any unsaved progress. What? Ok, I'm gonna keep playing.

Hotel: So Slimer got away and here we are at the hotel. We meet Ilyssa, who's opening delivery is harsh and just unenjoyable. Compare this with the Wii and once again, Redfly nailed it better. First thing we do is go upstairs to relive some of the best moments in Ghostbusters. Egon's line "new people die everyday" turns out to be one of the best in the game. We go up and down stairs, back and forth through halls. Theres a weird elevator scene where Venkman's dialogue makes no sense. Finally, after busting some bell hops, we get to go one on one with Venkman and hunt Slimer down by cutting through a creepy kitchen. The kitchen's haunted items and creepy whispers amazed me and I learned how to move objects with the capture stream (a far underused tool in the game that could have been fun to play with. The Wii version does better in this respect). When we got to the ballroom, slimer awaited and we busted him good. Did anyone else pick up a STRONG PKE reading behind the bar and find absolutely nothing?

The Galley: Then things got weird. With Slimer gone, the whole hotel went topsy turvy with a cool new fisherman ghost on the loose. Candelabras became sentient, water filled the halls and I was on my own for the first time... no wise cracking Ghostbusters to set the mood. This was going to make or break the game. It took me WAY too long to figure out that I had to run in order to get over mounds of reef, otherwise this level was easy enough. The boss was just pure madness. He's fast, you're dodging, its a small area and crap is flying everywhere. Not super enjoyable but not bad... the big barreling boss targets solely you, so get ready to be angry at your lucky fellow Ghostbusters.

Streets: Winston makes his patented late appearance once you hit the streets due to Stay Puft sighting. They always delay his entrance, don't they... this time he had opera tickets. I wonder who Winston's beau is? The streets of Manhattan are a part I remember well... mostly because I had to replay them more than any other part of the game. I'll admit, this area almost broke me. I started on medium difficulty (because I consider myself an ok gamer and a swell Ghostbuster), which was fine to start... but once you hit the streets, you had better spend 60% of your time reviving your friends or face game over. Getting to about the laundromat every time, the incessant whales of "little help here" were too much to bear. After over an hour I quit. And I restarted the entire game. On easy. Best decision ever, from then forth the game was the perfect difficulty, where I didn't have to worry about reviving every 30 seconds. The gargoyles were right in line with the Ghostbusters ghosts of past, though they didn't really need to be on fire. The Fat opera ladies were very fun, though I wish they didn't all look the same. Seems like lazy duplicating of a boss. I can see that for minions, and this happens all the time in games, but it doesn't mean I need to like it! The black slime addition to GB lore was also really cool, especially the ability for ghosts to use them as portals. Also, the super slammer was incredible satisfying to use. I am just happy that the junk on top of the ectomobile got any explanation or use at all.

Times Square: A cool level, I had fun making a break for it with Ray, and it's fun battling Stay Puft from the ground up for once. The office building was fairly uneventful, I preferred the Wii version of this level where there was a video game twist. That was fun!

Stay Puft: The roof has some great ghosts, and the sky is really fun with it's heat lightning. The Stay Puft battle was fine, though those marshmallow shaped critters were a little outside the Ghostbusters world in my opinion. Unless they were part of the commercials Ray watched, they feel strangely designed. I much preferred the marshmallow dogs we see earlier. We defeat Stay Puft, which feels cheap considering the 1st movie's ending took crossing the streams, but later we find out that the Traveler was way weakened without the mandala in full effect.

Firehouse: FINALLY we come back to the firehouse after what I consider 5 or so chapters of the game. First, to Vigo! I wanted to hear everything he had to say. Unfortunately, he was placed RIGHT NEXT to Janine, who answered the phone every 45 seconds! So while I'm trying to hear my sweet Vigo lines, the other endless yapper of the Ghostbuster movies is blabbing on and on. A real battle of the mouths. I wanted to have the goggles in the firehouse so I could get a first person look at everythinf in there. It took a lot of time and angling to inspect the fun stuff hidden around. From children thanking the Ghostbusters, to a note from Louis at his desk saying that he was feeling sick and going to take the rest of the day off, the details were awesome. My favorites by far were the Real Ghostbusters shout outs... though every interview before the game was released said they were going to ignore that part of the lore, we got an exact replica of the Real Ghostbusters PKE meter and a table on the second floor set up to look like where Winston's hamburger gets devoured by Slimer during the Real Ghostbusters theme song! Now that is some fan love. Anyone else notice how it's always twilight out at the firehouse? It works well actually, as they stop in either after a long night or after a long day.

Library: My favorite level! Allow me to gush! But first... did anyone else see the exhibit on the second floor at the library? It spoke of Azetlor, the Collector, and had this sweet picture of a worm like demon creature (book worm, get it?). Now this seemed like a perfect addition to the Ghostbusters lore, and it was... we go through the level learning of Elanor Twitty's Gozer codex and what Azeltor had to do with the book... then at the end... the boss was a huge disappointment. Hardly a creature at all, just a mass of books and pointy stuff. What happened to that drawing from the first room of the library??? What great foreshadowing that would have been! That is a small complaint though, considering the pacing and dialogue in this level was unparalleled. The children's library alone made this game worth the price of admission for me. From the whispers to the possessed panda, the markings on the wall and the lights, this level was a win for everybody. Upside down rooms, cold air, lots of lighting tricks, scares, darkness, creatures, stacked books, walkie talkies, portals, flocks of books... win win win win win.

Firehouse: Ok so the Library feels fairly wedged in the story, considering they go to bust Twitty merely because Ray wants revenge. It does serve as the first mandala in the end, but the busters get pretty distracted from the museum thing. Peck returns with the mayor to get the story back on track. The mayor was a bit over the top for my tastes. At least they got rid of his top hat in the museum level, he definitely had one on in an early trailer.

Museum: Loved the museum level, though I was a little sad that only the Wii version got a dinosaur, mostly because the Aztec stuff in the museum was a bit blah (guys with sheilds? Lame). Ghostbusters and museums just make sense. Lots of history, lots of dead things, lots of cool ghosts. They've visited Museums in the TV show, in the Scholly Fisch book and now in the official lore. From the rain outside coming indoors, to spirits trapped in boxes and the use of the slime gun to unposses, this level was full of ideas that really fit the bill. Can I just mention how hilarious it is when the Ghostbusters start slipping you more and more obvious hints at how to crack a puzzle? In addition, cleaning up black slime became an obsession of mine and I would go nuts when I couldn't clean a patch no matter how long I slimed. The Gozerian lore sound files hidden in the last Egyptian hallway was particularly cool, referencing how Gozer was at war with another God, Tiamat. Did anyone else think that this was going to be a great foreshadow to some ending where another God emerges? I hoped so. No such case though, all of the information was unused. Weird. Ok, so Peck gets possessed. The Ghostbusters slime him and oust the ghosts from everyone. Then later he has a PKE spike again because he is possessed? Peter also vows to get the skinny on Peck and leaves the crew for the hotel retread level. What happened here? We never find out and it turns out to be the biggest plot hole of the entire story, something very sloppy considering the millions of bucks put into the game.

Under the Streets: A cool series of tunnels that really helped tie the lore of the first movie together. Looks like Shandor had backup plans if the super antenna at 55 Central Park didn't channel enough Ghost power. The tunnel system feeding energy to a central point feels like a retread of Ghostbusters II a little bit, but that connection comes to light in the next level. I dug Shandor's society member as a villain. He was well designed. I could have used the Thanksgiving parade scene after this, a big funny float boss would have been so original and a fantastic use of big New York City events meet the GBs.

Back to the Hotel: I thought this area was going to feel very added on last second, but they found a lot of ways to make keep the hotel's second visit interesting. Had a blast cleaning the coat room, and the lighting and construction was a great way to revisit the level but make it creepier. The harmless ghost remnants floating around, visible only at certain angles was chilling. Freaked my girlfriend out good. Then the Spider Witch story was a nice little side mission, the best part being the warped, webby hallways of the 13th floor. As ghost world meshes with real world and the Spider Witch (Terrible nickname by the way, just call her the black widow! Duh!) comes to look like... a spider. Sigh. Every video game ever has a spider boss. I didn't like the design very much, didn't think it fit in line with the past creatures of the Ghostbusters world. I would have rather had her be a little see-through and fly. Best part of this level is the one-on-one time with Egon. I love how they give you a little time with each character, probably saved a lot on programming AI and planning dialogue, while at the same time serving as a focused conversation with some of the coolest people ever.

The Island: So without a lot of exposition at all we find ourselves on a boat. Story fail. Could have really used a phone call at the firehouse where we find out an island has risen up in the Hudson. Ignoring that, the level is pretty rad... The mazes are fun to burn down, even if the slime tether puzzles are a bit convoluted. The basement alone was perhaps the creepiest part of the game, especially one whispered line where the ghosts plot to attack at "the intersection". Goosebumps! The puzzle with the underground slime lake caused me to look at a strategy guide for the first and last time, those weights were way too hidden, I blasted every pillar and barrel in the room before googling my way out. Later I lost Winston at one point after saving him and had to restart. Wait wait wait wait wait wait wait. Did they just tie the events of Ghostbusters 2 to Ghostbusters 1!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? INCREDIBLE! Somewhere in all this they explain that the slime was being pumped from Shandor's island into tunnels. So slime channeling and ghost channeling in tunnels is all the work of Ivo. And the slime! Colors of it, vats of it, rivers and pools of it! What an idea! I love this game! Meanwhile the medium sized sloar boss is cool, if not mostly unexplained. It's also pretty easy considering how late in the game it is.

Firehouse: Ok, I went through the firehouse thoroughly every time. Popped toasters, found the end screen to the NES Ghostbusters game, everything. Then, on the last time I found the answering machine. Damn! Apparently I missed new messages on several occasions. Are these available online somewhere? Also, the machine was not subtitled, I could have used it on a few muddled deliveries.

Central Park: The story comes to a head in another fantastic level. They don't stop the action, laughs or scares. I peeked at the guide and knew how to kill the cherubs ahead of time, so no sweat. Hey, by the way, weren't we promised the Scoleri Brothers at some point in this game? Apparently the containment unit is once again expelled, they could have made an appearance here. Ah well, maybe the sequel. The spiraling tower in the distance was a great effect and clobbering big beasties in graveyards and mausoleums with Ray was a highlight of the game.

The Final Boss: What. A. Let down. I'm sorry, but the mayor/Shandor can choose ANY form to become... and he becomes... some Zues looking dude? I get his obsession with becoming a God, but this is GHOSTBUSTERS. Our grand finales usually have Marshmallow men, Statues of Liberty, hell hounds, hot chicks and giant ugly heads. And we get some statue guy. They should have either gone super scary or super funny with this last big spectacle. Instead they did neither and the story hurt because of it.

The End: A little tacked on, the awkward romance between Peter and Ilyssa comes to an end and they get slimed. Leaves a lot to be desired, particularly a good one liner, please.

Credits: Ryan French, the face of the rookie Ghostbuster was hardly billed! Just a special thanks, deep within the credits. Lame, he got gypped! Also, the credits area is where I could have used one new Ghostbusters song from a new artist. Don't tell me Gnarls Barkley or someone wouldn't LOVE to make a new GB song. It could have been a hit!

Co-op: I can't sink the money into X-Box live every month right now and I desperately want to try the multiplayer levels. Unfortunately, there are no split screen co-op missions, so while I have two controllers and those extra levels are designed for many players, I can't even access them. Lame! I understand why they didn't go co-op for the campaign, I got the most fun out of blasting objects by myself (and on wii got way jealous when others destroyed fun scenery before me). Plus the story's cutscenes just make more sense with one rookie, face it... 6 Ghostbusters is a LOT.

Overall: I get the feeling that the voice director didn't push Murray to give loud, big deliveries. I could have used tighter editing, plot holes filled and a final boss make over. Then again, using the original score was SICK! The mixing on it was rad too. The equipment upgrades all fit the pseudo-science incredibly well... and when you've got so many elements at play, having the hundreds of details put into this game that were amazingly dead on can't be forgotten. Just consider the back story to every ghost and scanned item, some of them were brilliant! When Ghostbusters: The Video Game was bad... it was sloppy. When it was good... it was marvelous. Here I think we can all agree that the good outweighs the bad. Heck, talking about it, I really want to play it right now! In the end, no matter what a super nerd might pick apart, it is a ton of fun. How many games can offer so many moments of pure unrefined joy like this?

There you are. 3,514 words on the Ghostbusters Video Game. Hope you're happy, Christian and CTD669 :D

Dan Aykroyd is sitting in an farmhouse waiting for Ghostbusters 3

2009-08-25T14:16:00.001-07:00

Update on the Ghostbusters 3 script from Canada: Not delivered yet, no production go ahead yet.

Ramis on GBIII

2009-07-17T14:07:00.000-07:00

He agrees with Rogen that it must be a hell of a good script to push forward on it, in this GQ article.

http://www.gq.com/entertainment/movies-and-tv/200906/harold-ramis-director-animal-house-ghostbusters-groundhog-day?currentPage=5

Merry Ghostbusters Eve!

2009-06-15T10:38:00.001-07:00

With less than a day until the debut of what was once considered the third chapter to the Ghostbusters saga, Ghostbusters: The Video Game... Dan Aykroyd has a new interview where he talks about the third film with new information about the script.

I feel the Oscar thing makes the most sense to connect the Ghostbusters to the new generation that they are passing the torch to. The fact that the Ghostbusters are now defunct is new, but good. If they had opened franchises and grown over 20 years, the equiptment and story structure would look nothing like the Ghostbusters we know and love. I deem this good news for the threequel, but bad news for the canon of the video game.

IGN has their review in, with one week to go!

2009-06-08T17:30:00.000-07:00

As we begin our countdown until the game's release (I'll be picking it up on Monday at midnight at the Venice and Overland Gamestop!) IGN has the first American review of the PS3/360 version, giving it an impressive 8/10. Rejoice, everyone... the biggest name in gaming says "Ghostbusters is a hell of a ride."

Enjoy the review over here...

Sneak Peek at the game's upcoming TV Ad!

2009-06-08T17:26:00.000-07:00

The official Ghostbusters: The Video Game fan page has a sneak peek of the commercial we'll be seeing this month on TV. Needless to say, I think this is the best slimer I've seen since the first Ghostbusters film!

The Report from the Blu-Ray Release!

2009-06-04T14:44:00.000-07:00

I attended the Blu-ray release of Ghostbusters last night, which was an amazing evening of video interviews to join the Ghostbusters team, opportunities to try the 360, PS3 and Wii versions of the game and presented the chance to see Ivan Reitman himself introduce the high def movie with a few great notes about a third film. Atari even sent a Ghostbuster with a modified pack to mirror the new upgrades from the game!

The Video Game

Several people had hands on and we saw the first hour and a half of all versions of the title. There were loads of great one-liners scattered throughout, and shouting whatever comes to mind while busting is quite fun. While trapping the fisherman ghost, I shouted "back to the bottom of the sea, crusty!". The cutscenes were more enjoyable on the 360, though the Wii's weren't bad at all. When hands-on with the PS3 version, the hardest thing was aiming at a ghost a block away hanging 20 feet in the air. The Wii's gameplay on the other hand was completely intuitive and in my opinion will be the most fun to actually play. The new weapons are cool, and there are some awesome ones that most people probably aren't even aware of. Wait until you find out what the super-slammer is, it's awesome. One thing I wanted was subtitles for what the guys are saying. Between the score, the blasting and the ghosts, it's hard to hear Murray's amazing but muttered one liners.

The Intro with Ivan

Reitman was hilarious. He spoke for 10 minutes, introducing his wife, daughter and son (directorial prodigy Jason Reitman) and apologizing for cutting them from the movie. He went on to tell the audience how much he appreciated them coming out (some from Texas) and told a few stories from 25 years ago about successful no-fx test screenings and Sigourney Weaver's casting session. She apparently decided that she should be possessed in the movie, then got up on all fours on Ivan's desk snarling like a dog. They loved it and added it to the script!

He opened the forum up to questions and of course the first was if he would be directing the possible Ghostbusters 3. While asking us not to quote him as saying he is directing it, he expressed interest. This is contrary to what Dan Aykroyd mentioned last week, so it was amazing to hear. It sounds like director or not, Ivan will be there through the whole project. He emphasized that Ghostbusters 3 is never a sure thing and the cast and script must be there. Several news sources were there and nabbed these sentiments in interviews as well. Here's what I could get of his intro before my camera ran out of memory.

The Blu-ray film

Brilliant sound made this viewing alone worth seeing. Nothing quite like a pack being switched on while you're in the theater. You never realize how fuzzy some of the scenes are until you see them on a big screen. At the same time, I noticed more from the film than I ever have before. Each expression from the jailmates at the end of the film, the maid desperately trying to put out a fire with her squirt bottle, little ticks from Murray and hilariously random twitches of Louis all shined on the big screen. You can actually tell that Walter Peck is getting covered in marshmallow goop!

All-in-all a fantastic evening. Thanks to Atari and Fangoria for putting it up. Look for our video interview on the GhostbustersisHiring website!

ANOTHER new trailer? Don't mind if I do!

2009-06-01T20:40:00.000-07:00

A second new trailer for Ghostbusters Wii (third total today) has premiered as a part of E3 in conjunction with Wii Radio Minute. More great lines and ghosts within. I'm so excited to play this version! Enjoy!

E3 Reveals New GB:TVG Trailer!

2009-06-01T16:16:00.000-07:00

Yet ANOTHER trailer for Ghostbusters: The Video Game has surfaced today (this time care of E3) and it's more action packed than ever.

Props to ProtonCharging for first reporting it!

Also, of note, in two days the Ghostbusters Blu Ray premiere is happening in Los Angeles, with special guest Ivan Reitman! I am so there.

The LA Times has an Exclusive Wii Trailer!

2009-06-01T14:37:00.000-07:00

More big name news sources are talking to the original players from the series about the game and sequel, and the LA Times really knows how to do it right. Along with an insightful new article about the status of the sequel, a new trailer for the Wii version is included! In my opinion, it is the best Wii trailer yet.

Some favorite quotes from the article

Ivan Reitman: "The game itself, and the quick acceptance and intense interest in it, reminded all the creative participants that we have something special here. I think the game, along with the anniversary of the first movie and the Blu-ray release of the two movies [on June 16], all of it reminded us that it's kind of silly that we're not being more active about it."

Dan Aykroyd: "I'm just waiting for that magic phone call. One day, the producer calls you and says, 'We have a production number,' and that's the real green light. And it's coming soon, I hope. . . . We could be in production by winter."

The question is, how can they NOT green light this film after the New York Times and LA Times run legit articles about it?

The Ghostbusters Are Hiring!

2009-05-29T19:01:00.000-07:00

In correlation with the blu-ray DVD release of Ghostbusters, a new site has launched by the name of GhostbustersIsHiring.com! All sorts of contests and events are centered around the June 16th edition, but perhaps the neatest thing is the contest asking for video resumes to join the team. I may do one myself...

Winners are looking at cool stuff like GB schwag and Comic-Con tickets, for 2009 and 2010. On the Ghostbusters 3 front, that may be of much interest. The hope that people will still talking about Ghostbusters next summer could mean big things for the potential of the third film!

Meanwhile check the site for a neat intro from Harold Raimis himself. Signing up for the contest will lead to neat e-mails with extras like this clip of Dan Aykroyd visiting the refurbished Ecto-1 from the special features of the new DVD.

Ghostbusters: The Video Game on Twitter/Facebook

2009-05-29T13:57:00.000-07:00

The official twitter and facebook pages for the video game have launched with exclusive photos like the one before and other neat links at content. Make sure to follow and fan them for news right from the source!

Gotta Catch Em All!

2009-05-28T13:20:00.000-07:00

IGN has posted a new development blog that has lots and lots and LOTS of concept art from the Wii incarnation of the game. The one below in particularly has a very Pokemon feel to me. It looks like Redfly worked really hard to provide a wide variety of original creatures to catch in the Wii version of the game!

The New York Times Catches Up with Aykroyd

2009-05-28T13:08:00.000-07:00

A great article went up in the New York Times today, catching up with Dan, Harold and Ivan on the first film, the video game and the third film. They caught Dan at the American Society for Psychical Research of all places. The article is good reading, and you'll learn more about the script process, in which Dan and Harold attribute only minor script tweaks to themselves.

Aykroyd on GB3 Interdimensional Travel and a Female Team Lead

2009-05-26T14:19:00.001-07:00

Looks like Dan Aykroyd is letting more details slip about the potential third movie, as this week we learn from the Guardian more about the group's new dynamic and the technology at play.

There'll be a whole new generation that has to be trained and a leader that you'll all love when you meet her. There'll be lots of cadets, boys and girls who'll be learning how to use the neuron splitter and the inter-planet interceptor - new tools to enable them to slip from dimension to dimension.

Thanks to Zack for the heads up!

EW lists off possible female busters

2009-05-21T14:38:00.000-07:00

Adam Markovitz over at EW has a speculation article about potential women to fill the shoes of a potential new female ghostbuster.

Among them? Lots of super young/hot model-esque suggestions. Boo! Up the age and realism please! The original Ghostbusters were in their mid-thirties when they first opened up shop. I'd hope the same age of their replacements.

Comment and show that you're against jailbait eye-candy sexpots for GB3! This is a comedy that needs stronger characters than that!

GB3 in Production by this Winter?

2009-05-20T17:54:00.001-07:00

Dan Aykroyd has been speaking all over as of late, giving details on the third movie and naming some picks for female Ghostbusters. No comedians were mentioned, but Alyssa Milano and Eliza Dushku made his list of favorites. Not too familiar with Dushku, but I can get behind keeping Alyssa on board to really grind Ghostbusters: The Video Game into cannon!

Check out the full article at MTV, where Dan goes on to clear Bill Murray's name.

First Review of Ghostbusters: The Video Game!

2009-05-20T17:48:00.000-07:00

A rough translation from the first GB:TVG review, ala Eurogamer! Read the whole thing here...

"Ghostbusters: The Videogame is quite likely one of the best film adaptations of the interactive medium. Its secret lies in its carefully atmosphere, an authentic work of a craftsman to reflect all elements of the film with the same magic that makes 25 years. But most important is that in addition to this package that plays with our nostalgia is a funny title like few others. It is the absence of Rick Moranis all that separates this game from perfection. But if you like Ghostbusters this is the game that he had always dreamed of."

College Humor's Pissbusters

2009-05-08T14:02:00.000-07:00

I usually don't post anything outside of news, but this Pissbusters sketch from College Humor's all nighter is worthy of sharing.

Although I've seen similar plays on "don't cross the streams" before, its the sound effects and Aykroyd impression that make this so much awesomer than anything before it.

Judd Apatow Speaks about GB3: "Obviously, I’d consider anything!"

2009-05-06T14:35:00.000-07:00

Judd Apatow sat down with New York Magazine this weekend to discuss Year One and shed some light on those rumors that he might be producing Ghostbusters 3 which Columbia shot down in March.

NYMag: Would you consider producing Ghostbusters 3?
Judd: I’m not one of the people who makes those movies. Obviously, I’d consider anything!

NYMag: What would you do if you could produce it?
Judd: I don’t know! I’ve never thought about it before. But I’m sure the people who do it do it very well. But you know, it was one of my favorite movies I ever saw when I was growing up, so it’s in good hands.

While Judd doesn't really consider himself one of the people who makes one of those movies (I assume a special effects laden sci-fi action comedy), he speaks highly of people behind Ghostbusters and names it one of his favorite movies growing up. He definitely remains very on the fence, not having thought about it yet and not ruling out anything!