Discuss all things Ghostbusters here, unless they would be better suited in one of the few forums below.
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By Alphagaia
#4910938
According to the 'Big bad book of Bill Murray', Dan counseled Bill to say yes to Ghostbusters on condition Colombia Pictures finances Razors Edge as well. He did that movie right before GB, which was reported as hell to make and he went of the grid.
Nobody could find him untill he called from the Taj Mahal, suits demanded his ass to be back before shooting began and he was picked up from the airport by Dan and Reitman on the first day of shooting.

I love the man's work and his humor, but he was/is very hard to work with.
By 80sguy
#4910947
I remember Feig saying that on the day Murray was suppose to film his cameo, he said that wasn't sure if Murray was even going to show up. He said it jokingly but would it be a genuine concern, because he did actually skip out on completing voice work for the 2009 game.
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By Kingpin
#4910948
Davideverona wrote: November 20th, 2018, 11:40 pmThey were plotting against Reitman and considering him a poor old past his prime director clinging to his past glories. They wanted to exclude him entirely from the franchise he contribute to create.
Looking at it from a purely academic standpoint, the argument can be made that Ivan is past his prime.

By the end of 1993, Reitman had a number of notable films under his belt: Animal House, Meatballs, Stripes, Ghostbusters, Twins, Ghostbusters II, Kindergarten Cop and Dave. Some were box-office successes, others were moderate successes, some were well-regarded critically while others received a lukewarm response from audiences and critics.

From 1994 onward, fewer of the films that Reitman is placed as director on appear to be as successful as his earlier work. One of his more significant productions around the end of the last millennium/start of the current one is Evolution, which receives some criticism for feeling like an attempt to recreate Ghostbusters, to which the latter film does feature some similar tropes, characters and plot vehicles to the earlier one.

From 2000 to 2014, Reitman's become significantly less active as a director, the majority of his work coming from a producer position. Of the films he'd directed between 2000 and 2014, the majority continue to receive "mixed reviews" and scorings of around 5/10 (Though it needs to be acknowledged that these scores are usually user-graded via sites like Rotten Tomatoes).

My study was a quick skim through Wikipedia, rather than an in-depth by a motion picture academic, but I wouldn't say Sony's view that Ivan wasn't the hit he once was wasn't an unfair conclusion. A lot of Ivan's recent directoral work has not been as successful as his earlier ventures, with the original Ghostbusters likely serving as his career's high point.

In looking at trying to regenerate Ghostbusters into a legacy franchise, with the potential to have multiple movies spun off of it, would you look into younger directors who are in the position to direct potentially multiple films in a new multi-film franchise, and have a finger on the pulse of what's currently popular in the comedy movie genre? Or would you chose someone who is a familiar face in the franchise, but hasn't had as much success in the past decade, and who may not be as able to take on a long-term franchise revival?


I hate to say it, but it was... And is in Sony's best interest to look at bringing new talent onto Ghostbusters if they want to grow the franchise. If it wasn't Paul Feig, it would've been someone else.
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By Davideverona
#4910955
I'm with you here, and I think that, after Ramis demise, Reitman and Aykroyd were with you too. What bugs me a little is that from what I saw in those mails was that they showed little respect to Reitman. In one mails he's mad because: (I quote) "I thought we were still doing the Cohen script???" meanwhile Sony was asking for new ideas.

If I'd be Sony, I'd sit down with him to have a clear and kind conversation. "Listen Ivan, I know you worked on this drafts so hard, but we're having difficulties shopping it around. We'd like to start anew".
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By mrmichaelt
#4910959
Kingpin wrote: November 21st, 2018, 11:31 am In looking at trying to regenerate Ghostbusters into a legacy franchise, with the potential to have multiple movies spun off of it, would you look into younger directors who are in the position to direct potentially multiple films in a new multi-film franchise, and have a finger on the pulse of what's currently popular in the comedy movie genre? Or would you chose someone who is a familiar face in the franchise, but hasn't had as much success in the past decade, and who may not be as able to take on a long-term franchise revival?

I hate to say it, but it was... And is in Sony's best interest to look at bringing new talent onto Ghostbusters if they want to grow the franchise. If it wasn't Paul Feig, it would've been someone else.
I'm content with Reitman and Aykroyd being in these godfather positions - involved with Ghost Corps, overseeing projects, working closely on scripts - and in terms of new talent, one name that comes to mind is Ruben Fleischer. He was one of the names that came up before Feig took the reigns, was acclaimed for Zombieland, turned in a hit for Sony recently with Venom. He's gotta be on someone's list for GB.
Davideverona wrote: November 21st, 2018, 2:49 pm I'm with you here, and I think that, after Ramis demise, Reitman and Aykroyd were with you too. What bugs me a little is that from what I saw in those mails was that they showed little respect to Reitman. In one mails he's mad because: (I quote) "I thought we were still doing the Cohen script???" meanwhile Sony was asking for new ideas.

If I'd be Sony, I'd sit down with him to have a clear and kind conversation. "Listen Ivan, I know you worked on this drafts so hard, but we're having difficulties shopping it around. We'd like to start anew".
Seems like there was a misconception they were going to work on both at the same time then the focus became on one but Reitman and Aykroyd didn't know. That appears to be corrected. You kind of see the pragmatism of wanting to work on thing at time -- which we saw again when Reitman said they shelved Ecto Force to focus on the animated movie.
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By timeware
#4910975
[I'm content with Reitman and Aykroyd being in these godfather positions - involved with Ghost Corps, overseeing projects, working closely on scripts - and in terms of new talent, one name that comes to mind is Ruben Fleischer. He was one of the names that came up before Feig took the reigns, was acclaimed for Zombieland, turned in a hit for Sony recently with Venom. He's gotta be on someone's list for GB.

This would almost be perfect. They had a crap ton of GB refrences in Zombieland, even Harrolson wearing the uniform. At least Ruben can climb past the 300 million dollar finish line.
Last edited by Kingpin on November 22nd, 2018, 5:24 am, edited 1 time in total.Reason: Fixed quote code
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By mrmichaelt
#4910976
timeware wrote: November 21st, 2018, 9:44 pm This would almost be perfect. They had a crap ton of GB refrences in Zombieland, even Harrolson wearing the uniform. At least Ruben can climb past the 300 million dollar finish line.
Agreed. Loved that reenactment scene of the Slimer bust and the lead actor being giddy the girl would learn who she's gonna call only for that screening to end tragically.
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By Alphagaia
#4910977
Ruben Fleischer wasn't on the shortlist Reitman and Sony made to have talks with, but he got wind of them accepting new directors and scripts and sent an email. Sadly enough his latest movie at that time was badly received, and his name wasn't big enough.

I have yet to see Venom, but I hear good things! He is probably focussing on a sequel to that.
Last edited by Alphagaia on November 22nd, 2018, 2:30 am, edited 1 time in total.
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By mrmichaelt
#4910980
Alphagaia wrote: November 22nd, 2018, 2:27 am Ruben Fleischer wasn't on the shortlist Reitman and Sony made to have talks with, but he got wind of them accepting new directors and scripts and sent an email. Sadly enough his latest movie at that time was badly received, and his name wasn't big enough.

I have yet to see Venom, but I hear good things! He is probably focusing on a sequel to that.
Another factor was his child was born and he took time off to be with his family. Whether that's because Gangster Squad didn't do well and it was time for a sabbatical - kill 2 birds with one stone - or something he always planned to do, believe what you want.

Sony more or less just announced the Venom sequel will be in October 2020. So Aykroyd said to Rather the movie could be in the next few years, so that's still plenty of time. Fleischer is in a good position. Venom made Sony a lot of money and broke some records. Zombieland 2 is coming in October 2019. Coming off those 3 movies, I'm sure Sony will suggest him to Ghost Corps and right in time shoot for a 2021/2022 release hypothetically. Or looking at what Marvel Studios did and tapped Scott Derrickson who's done some straight up R rated horror movies like Sinister, Deliver Us From Evil, Exorcism of Emily Rose -- and have him direct Doctor Strange. They could be watching similar directors like those working on the Conjuring universe movies. James Wan directing Aquaman which looks to be a box office success.
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By Alphagaia
#4910982
Well, he was the one interested in doing a GB flick, so I don't believe the sabbatical was planned when he wrote the email saying he would love to do one, but if they want him to do a GB sequel I certainly don't mind.

Loved Zombieland,looking forward to the sequel, and am curious if this also improves the chances of Bill returning in GB3 if Fleischer were to direct. Did he have a good time making Zombieland?

Edit: just checked the 'big bad book's again.

Didn't know he was tenth actor to be asked for the role and him changing it, as he didn't want to play a zombie, but only pretending to be one. He changed the whole character and improvised almost everything, hehe. It's really so Bill Murray.
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By timeware
#4910991
I think it would be a kind of an interesting plot for them to have the caddy shack gofer all zombie like in pursuit of the zombie land characters for offing Bill in the first movie.
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By Theoderic
#4910998
timeware wrote: November 22nd, 2018, 12:00 pm I think it would be a kind of an interesting plot for them to have the caddy shack gofer all zombie like in pursuit of the zombie land characters for offing Bill in the first movie.
I must admit: for me personally, the Ghostbusters and zombies don't go together so well. I think what makes the Ghostbusters so special is the actual ability to handle all the paranormal, non-physical stuff like ghosts, spirits and haunted things especially, with their very specialised, unique and iconic equipment.

Zombies imho are in general more pictured as desease-created (by special viruses in most scenarios) corpses, that walk around, but still can be exterminated using general conventional weaponry; so they're to be taken care of the CDC or national guard/army - and there are literally hundreds of movies, games, storys and whatsoever playing that theme - so in that case i'd certainly NOT call the ghostbusters.

Sorry - but that just doesn't do it for me: pleeeeease, don't jump on that overcrowded zombie-train, guys!
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By timeware
#4911002
I totally get what your saying. My suggestion actually didn't have anything to do with Ghostbusters but a reference to the movie Caddy Shack. I'm also a huge Resident Evil fan and over the years iv'e just wanted a proton pack to fry the zombies in one shot. The laser weapon in RE4 (Cant recall it's name) was a poor substitute.

I do believe there have been a few zombie refrences or like zombie ghosts in RGB and Extreme Ghostbusters. The Craniac ghosts come to mind, then the farmer ghosts trying to take over Ray's cousins farm also come to mind. Zombies would actually work with this franchise. It surprises me that they haven't talked to IDW about a Walking Dead Comic book cross over with the shows rise in popularity over the years.
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By mrmichaelt
#4911007
Yeah, zombies have come up here and there.
timeware wrote: November 23rd, 2018, 10:13 amI do believe there have been a few zombie refrences or like zombie ghosts in RGB and Extreme Ghostbusters. The Craniac ghosts come to mind, then the farmer ghosts trying to take over Ray's cousins farm also come to mind. Zombies would actually work with this franchise. It surprises me that they haven't talked to IDW about a Walking Dead Comic book cross over with the shows rise in popularity over the years.
Yes, like the taxi driver in the first movie, the ones in RGB and EGB were more ghosts than corporeals. "Dairy Farm" and "Buster the Ghost". Then Ray mentions a "Recreational Zombie, Haitian Variety" as he goes over a standard Ghosts and Demongs identification test in "Hanging By a Thread". Even the Peoplebusters were kinda zombie-looking. Kenner and NOW comics had one each I think. Eduardo sees a zombie version of himself in an illusion cast by the Fear ghost in "Fear Itself" and they were zombies in one of the EGB video games. Grave Fiends, that were corporeal, in The Video Game. 2 or 3 paper zombies in the stylized versions. Slime Zombies in Sanctum of Slime. Geoff, their driver, was originally going to be a zombie.
Alphagaia wrote: November 23rd, 2018, 10:18 am I do believe IDW already dabbled with zombies before. Infestation comes to mind.
Yes, in Infestation. Also in Volume 1 #10, controlled by the ghost of Marie Laveau II. Ray salted them to neutralize them. GB Fans' Kingpin is one of them. Dan even used Big Ben from "House" as inspiration for some ghosts in Volume 1 #11. And Dan stuck Zombie Michael Jackson in #11, too, and in the What in Samhain Just Happened?! one-shot.
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By Kingpin
#4911115
timeware wrote: November 23rd, 2018, 10:13 amIt surprises me that they haven't talked to IDW about a Walking Dead Comic book cross over with the shows rise in popularity over the years.
You don't need to have a crossover with everything that happens to be popular... And I thought the show was losing popularity these days?

This isn't like TMNT, or that brief (and badly rendered) X-Files crossover, or even Infestation, crossing over with the Walking Dead would require the IDW Ghostbusters world to be substantially changed by having the actual apocalypse.

AND... If they were gonna have a crossover with The Walking Dead, cross it over with the comic, not the rediculously divergent TV series.
Davideverona wrote: November 29th, 2018, 2:50 am Who's surfing the Internet searching for GB3 news basically daily. I am!!!
You'd probably be better of checking it every couple of weeks... Even if this talk does lead into something, it's not going to happen instantly.
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By mrmichaelt
#4911148
Davideverona wrote: November 29th, 2018, 4:05 pm The script with Ray and Egon being ghosts who helps the new Gbs in the finale, who's baddie is a giant baby, where one of the new Gbs is Ray's son?
This was from the Cohen-era Alive Again drafts?
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By d_osborn
#4911150
mrmichaelt wrote: November 30th, 2018, 3:50 pm
Davideverona wrote: November 29th, 2018, 4:05 pm The script with Ray and Egon being ghosts who helps the new Gbs in the finale, who's baddie is a giant baby, where one of the new Gbs is Ray's son?
This was from the Cohen-era Alive Again drafts?
That's what I was wondering. I wasn't aware any story bits from the Cohen/Eisenberg/Stupnitsky era had leaked out.
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By mrmichaelt
#4911151
d_osborn wrote: November 30th, 2018, 4:12 pm
mrmichaelt wrote: November 30th, 2018, 3:50 pm This was from the Cohen-era Alive Again drafts?
That's what I was wondering. I wasn't aware any story bits from the Cohen/Eisenberg/Stupnitsky era had leaked out.
Little bits have. But maybe this one was part of those Sony leaks?

EDIT: Yeah, it was from the Cohen 2nd draft 12/18/13. In a reply, Adam North (Creative Executive at Sony Pictures Entertainment at the time) mentioned haunted toys and the ghost at the end was a giant baby. Are we allowed to link to WikiLeaks?
By Davideverona
#4911158
viewtopic.php?f=39&t=39324

This is an almost complete and definitive look at how the Ghostbusters Alive Again concept was discarded, how Sony enraged both Reitman and Aykroyd, how they made up for it, how the reboot came alive giving Reitman a safety plan for his non violent revenge (he must have a Feig photo somewhere where he and Dan throw little arrows while laughing at it).

Seriously, it's the most equilibrate look at all the saga I ever seen. Chapeau, Throwingchicken.
By Davideverona
#4911161
Alphagaia wrote: December 1st, 2018, 12:23 am You keep insisting they angered Dan and Ivan when those rages are caused by fake news leaks Sony had no hand in.
I think you missed the "seriously" clarification at the end of the post. I think TC made a good analysis of what was leaked, Reitman and Aykroyd "rage burst" included :)

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