Before studios release a big budget tentpole movie, they announce that there are going to be sequels or even spinoffs. Sometimes that even happens long before the actual announcement happens, when a studio says they will be launching a shared-universe franchise. To some extent, it can work. But when a film like Ghostbusters fails to meet studio’s expectations, it can question whether or not it is even worth it to move forward with such a massive project.
Paul Feig‘s Ghostbusters, starring Melissa McCarthy, Leslie Jones, Kristen Wiig, and Kate McKinnon wasn’t the kind of film that Sony was expecting, with the misogynistic threats and trolling that plagued the film throughout the entire marketing campaign. The film’s tepid $244 million box office draw may not be enough to give the studio confidence to green light a sequel. Despite that, Ivan Reitman believes that he has big plans for the Ghostbusters franchise.
Check out what he had to say below.
Speaking on the Mr. Wavvy podcast (via ComicBook.com), Reitman said there were many on the way, and that a lot of those films are in development. Here’s the full (but very brief) quote:
There’s going to be many other Ghostbusters movies, they’re just in development right now.
Not exactly the kind of statement that gives me confidence. But the idea that there are many other Ghostbusters movies in the works isn’t exactly incorrect. Going as far back as 2015, There were rumors that there was another Ghostbusters reboot not related to Feig’s film, in development. The film would have been directed by The Russo Brothers (Captain America: Civil War) and it would have starred Channing Tatum and Chris Pratt. However, Pratt was quick to shoot down those rumors and Reitman said the spinoffs were “just noise.”
So what is true? Well, considering that Reitman was speaking broadly about the future of Ghostbusters, he could have been talking about the animated movie that is currently under development. Ghost Corps was formed specifically to keep the franchise alive under the Sony production banner. So whatever film comes out of it, doesn’t have to adhere to the rules established in the film universe Feig has created. If that is true, then it gives more creative room for the directors and producers working on their respective Ghostbusters films.
One thing is for sure, Ghostbusters is not likely to die anytime soon. But just don’t expect to hear about it anytime soon.
[Source: Mr. Wavvy Podcast via ComicBook.com]
I know there is an animated film in the works, plus a new cartoon series. Personally, I would rather just have a remaster of the 2009 video game.
Comment by Mackenzie Lambert — November 28, 2016 @ 3:32 pm
Oh man, are they still pushing this conspiracy theory of widespread misogyny? Ghostbusters flopped because it sucked and everyone knew it was going to suck. Redlettermedia has debunked the misogyny conspiracy theory already. And let me give Reitman and Sony a hint, no one wants to see Ghostbusters for another 20 years. You killed it dead.
Comment by Nathan Diehl — November 29, 2016 @ 1:55 pm