When Paul Feig's 2016 Ghostbusters reboot was announced, it was as part of an excitable Sony talking up a sprawling spirit-capturing universe that would encompass various films. Things went a little quiet after that movie didn't set the box office alight despite generally positive reviews (and a wave of annoying fanbaby responses to the female-focused cast). Now, though, plans are afoot for another new story, this time a more direct continuation of the first two films from the 1980s. And the man behind it? Jason Reitman.
Yup, he's someone with no small connection to the original Ghostbusters films, as his dad Ivan directed them, and brought his son along for the ride. "I’ve always thought of myself as the first Ghostbusters fan, when I was a 6-year-old visiting the set. I wanted to make a movie for all the other fans," Reitman tells Entertainment Weekly. "This is the next chapter in the original franchise. It is not a reboot. What happened in the ‘80s happened in the ‘80s, and this is set in the present day."
Reitman has cooked up a story that will follow on from the two his father made, working with Monster House's Gil Kenan to write the script. And he has the stamp of approval from Reitman senior. "It will be a passing of the torch both inside and out," the elder Reitman says. "It was a decision he had to come to himself. He worked really hard to be independent and developed a wonderful career on his own. So I was quite surprised when he came to me with Gil and said, 'I know I’ve been saying for 10 years I’m the last person who should make a Ghostbusters movie, but... I have this idea.' Literally, I was crying by the end of it, it was so emotional and funny."
And lest you think Reitman is dumping on Feig's effort? Not so... "I have so much respect for what Paul created with those brilliant actresses, and would love to see more stories from them," he adds. "However, this new movie will follow the trajectory of the original film." For more from the director, head to EW's site. The plan is for this new entry to kick off shooting in a few months and arrive for summer 2020. No word yet on whether surviving original 'busters Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray or Ernie Hudson will appear in any capacity, but you've got to figure Reitman will aim for cameos...
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