Columbia Wants Reitman Off Ghostbusters 3?

Source: Vulture

March 18, 2010



Vulture is reporting that Sony's Columbia Pictures is looking to make Ghostbusters 3 without the first two films' writer-producer, Ivan Reitman. The site says:

The studio's strategy is to revitalize the franchise for next year by having the original ‘busters train a dramatically younger crew in Ghostbusters III, while a correspondingly younger director handles things behind the camera. However, Reitman’s old contract — made at the height of his and Ovitz's powers — still gives him exceptional creative control over the series, including director approval.

The site adds that, along with Reitman, original stars Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray and Harold Ramis have deals in which they can single-handedly veto and kill the project if they don't like something. The studio would like to have the actors on board, however.

A second draft of the script by “The Office” writers Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky will be turned in in May.

According to Vulture, Columbia had hoped that Reitman's new project would conflict with Ghostbusters 3, but Reitman thinks he can do both. He'll next direct the comedy Friends with Benefits, starring Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman. It's a sex comedy wherein two friends in a purely physical relationship begin to develop true romantic feelings for one another. That movie is scheduled to hit theaters on January 7, 2011.

Would Sony still go ahead with Reitman to get a tentpole into theaters in 2011? We should soon find out.

It's a train wreck in motion, one more bad thing after another.

Not that I had my hopes up, but there are times I've felt it would be better if we never got a third film.

*facepalm*

Kingpin;160127
It's a train wreck in motion, one more bad thing after another.

Not that I had my hopes up, but there are times I've felt it would be better if we never got a third film.

I think if Reitman steps down it'll be the second wise move the studio has made (the first being the hiring of Gene and Lee to write the film). I'd be down for seeing a Reitman-less Ghostbusters 3. In the past decade he's been a better producer than a director. He's 62 years old, I think he's running out of steam as directing is a lot of work and run around…and doing 2 movies at once would be a lot of work..especially if you're 62!

Any who, that's just my thought.

GB Freak;160131
I think if Reitman steps down it'll be the second wise move the studio has made (the first being the hiring of Gene and Lee to write the film). I'd be down for seeing a Reitman-less Ghostbusters 3. In the past decade he's been a better producer than a director. He's 62 years old, I think he's running out of steam as directing is a lot of work and run around…and doing 2 movies at once would be a lot of work..especially if you're 62!

Any who, that's just my thought.

I have to agree with you on this point, I was thinking the same thing after I first read it.

I liked his producing in films like Old School, Euro Trip, Road Trip & Evolution. I think it's time for a new Director who may be more comitted than someone at the end of their career.
Reitman did a great job on Ghostbusters, but I have never been a fan of Ghostbusters II.

I heard about this, bad news and it makes me not want a third GB film to happen. If Reitman isn't onboard, can the project, I say. No point in making the long-awaited third movie if the entire original crew won't be back.

Slime Lord;160135
I heard about this, bad news and it makes me not want a third GB film to happen. If Reitman isn't onboard, can the project, I say. No point in making the long-awaited third movie if the entire original crew won't be back.

You do know some of the original crew are dead, as long as the original cast in front of the lens are back thats a good starting point.

batman2;160136
You do know some of the original crew are dead, as long as the original cast in front of the lens are back thats a good starting point.

I hear ya!

Reitman should be co-directing/producing/involved as much as possible.

My response:

In the past 20 years, what has Ivan Reitman directed that was either a huge hit or absolutely hilarious?

Next question:
What's he produced in the past 20 years that's been funny?

Quite a few things.

It's a comeback of a lifetime for a franchise, so I'm pretty sure they want to put it in good hands of a director that has probably had a better track record.