The idea of cinematic universes is spreading faster and faster. Sony, unbowed by the problems it has faced spinning a wider web around Spider-Man, has decided that Ghostbusters is the next best target for expansion. And the studio has a big team working on the idea for movies beyond Paul Feig’s current female-driven film, with Dan Aykroyd, Ivan Reitman, Captain America: The Winter Soldier's Russo brothers,** Iron Man 3** writer Drew Pearce, and Channing Tatum all attached in various capacities to pump out new Ghost-catching cine-product.
Feig’s take on the franchise –with Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones and Cecily Strong set to star – will still be first out of the gate next year, acting as a sort of beachhead for what Sony and co. hope will follow. And the new production company, Ghostcorps, is set to oversee other films, TV and merchandise spun from the idea of hunting down wayward spooks.
Reitman, who directed the original movies and Aykroyd, the co-writer/star who also developed the original concept, are driving the new plans. Pearce is cooking up an idea alongside Joe and Anthony Russo and will write a script for a male-driven take on the Ghostbusters story. The Russos – seemingly busy over at Marvel with Captain America: Civil War – are using their new deal with Sony to enter talks to produce and direct. As for Tatum? The **Jump Street **star is currently set to produce via his company and the studio is hoping he’ll star in the new movie.
“We want to expand the Ghostbusters universe in ways that will include different films, TV shows, merchandise, all things that are part of modern filmed entertainment,” Reitman tells Deadline. “This is a branded entertainment, a scary supernatural premise mixed with comedy.
"Paul Feig’s film will be the first version of that, shooting in June to come out in July 2016. He’s got four of the funniest women in the world, and there will be other surprises to come. The second film has a wonderful idea that builds on that. Drew will start writing and the hope is to be ready for the Russo brothers’ next window next summer to shoot, with the movie coming out the following year. It’s just the beginning of what I hope will be a lot of wonderful movies.” Plus Ghostbusters hot beverage thermal mug and free balloons for the kids!
Don't worry, the tone we're aiming for is pretty "human-centric". Except for all the ghosts. > > — Drew Pearce (@mrdrewpearce) [March 9, 2015](https://twitter.com/mrdrewpearce/status/575062270826278912)
It already sounds a little like Ghostbusters overload, even with the proven talent spearheading the effort. The camps are forming as to whether any of this is a good idea, so what do you think? We're ready to believe you...
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