Sony Hacking Scandal Reveals 'Ghostbusters' Reboot News

The recent Sony hacking scandal is certainly revealing lots of shocking Hollywood details and despite its seediness, we're getting info on some projects we've been wondering about. Namely, the Ghostbusters reboot.

Over at the Daily Beast, they reveal the (alleged) content of emails between Amy Pascal, co-chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment and original Ghostbusters director/producer, Ivan Reitman regarding casting considerations for the reboot.

Also, there's a more yucky-feeling email from David Steinberg, head of Sony Pictures Entertainment’s legal department, to Leah Weil, SPE’s general counsel. This particular one from October 31, 2013 reveals potential legal action against Bill Murray due to his reluctance to star in the female-centric film. Because of course he's totally obligated to be in that film, right? No.

Here is the content of the Bill Murray email:

'Ghostbusters 3' Love It or Leave It Alone: One Fan's Opinion

BY LARISSA MRYKALO

The summer of 1984 was pretty damn awesome for movies and as a 13-year-old movie lover (now you know my age), I was in my glory. I'm about to sound cliché here, but seeing Ghostbusters pretty much made my summer and to this day, has influenced me in some way or another. Hell, I write for a site called Paranormal Pop Culture and I'm going on a ghost hunt this weekend. I even took my son to see the theatrical re-release of this film and I cried when it began. So here's the deal, I have strong opinions on the making of a third Ghostbusters movie and based on private discussions, I'm not alone in my thinking.

The possibility of a third Ghostbusters film has been tossed around for years now and pretty much right off the bat, Bill Murray said he did not want to be a part of the film. We may never know exactly why but good for him on standing his ground. With passing of Harold Ramis (Egon) and the subsequent distancing of Ivan Reitman from the project, it looked like this film may not come to fruition. I was fine with this possibility. A third Ghostbusters is not only unnecessary in a day and age where we are bombarded with shows about "busting" ghosts, but it is not a Ghostbusters film if there is an all-new cast and premise -- it is a "ghost hunting" film. That is fine! Go for it -- good luck with people paying to see it when they could just turn on their TV for free. There is even funny ghost hunting programming out there you can enjoy if you want a laugh; case in point: Jack Black's "Ghost Ghirls."

Bill Murray Gives Suggestions For Female Cast of 'Ghostbusters 3'

In a recent interview during the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Bill Murray not only discussed the film he was promoting, St. Vincent, but he also gave his cast choices for what seems to be turning into a female-centric "Ghostbusters III." Regarding the possibility of an all-female cast, Murray told the Toronto Star, “I’m fine with it. I would go to that movie, and they’d probably have better outfits, too.”

Although not involved in the project, he gave cast suggestions that included his St. Vincent co-star, Melissa McCarthy, “Melissa would be a spectacular Ghostbuster. And Kristen Wiig is so funny — God, she’s funny! I like this girl Linda Cardellini (Mad Men) a lot. And Emma Stone is funny. There are some funny girls out there.”

Photo Courtesy Evan Agostini/AP

McCarthy was asked at TIFF how she felt about being a contender, “I think that somebody is really trying to do it, but nobody has talked to me about it. Listen, if the people I think are doing it are doing it, I must never question them.” Regarding playing a Ghostbuster, McCarthy is...scared?, “Oh, my God, that’s daunting. That’s taking on a legend, a legendary movie. But I would do anything with those ladies, anything at all.”

Bridesmaids director, Paul Feig is negotiating being the director of the third film and Dan Aykroyd revealed on The Today Show this summer that production is to begin next spring.

We'll keep you posted on any new developments. Who are your choices regarding the casting since it doesn't look like the original cast members will be playing much, if any part in the film?

-Larissa Mrykalo

Bustin' Still Makes Us Feel Good: The 'Ghostbusters' Legacy 30 Years Later

 BY RICK CORNERSTONE

Thirty years later, even with its aged special effects and goofy plot, "Ghostbusters" continues to make audiences laugh. The movie that steadily holds a 97% "fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes has established itself as a comedy classic ever since its release in 1984.

Part of the reason the franchise is so successful is because they've managed to stay relevant over time, consistently appealing to new generations as the years pass. So just how did they manage to achieve what every other film franchise dreams of doing? By producing a quality film in addition to some fruitful marketing moves.

30th Anniversary of 'Ghostbusters' Honored in an Infographic

The 30th Anniversary of "Ghostbusters" deserves much attention this weekend. The supernatural comedy, directed and produced by Ivan Reitman and written by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis, was released on June 8, 1984. It was a phenomenon to say the least. I remember it very well and became an instant fan. Hell, I already loved the paranormal so when it was released, it made this nerdy teen feel slightly cool. Remember hearing about the 1-800 phone number you can call to get in touch with them? It was always busy. I was crushed.

Anyway, there are many interesting facts tied to the film and a new infographic developed by Mike Seiders, provides some neat tidbits. For example, did you know Aykroyd wrote the film with John Belushi, Eddie Murphy and John Candy in mind for the leads? Chevy Chase and Michael Keaton turned down the role of Peter. Good. Bill Murray owned that role and I had a big crush on him. Ivan Reitman also voiced the roles of Slimer pigging out and did the voice of Zuul when Dana was possessed. My favorite fun fact? Pee-Wee Herman was supposed to play Gozer. I know, right? Madness.

After the jump is the complete infographic and be sure to share any insider facts you may have about this classic. Thanks to the Huffington Post for this lead.

-Larissa Mrykalo

'Ghostbusters 3' To Film In 2015 -- Without Ivan Reitman

When Harold Ramis died a few weeks back, a lot of folks were understandably wonder whether a "Ghostbusters" sequel/reboot would continue. Well, Deadline is reporting it will indeed happen -- but it won't be directed by Ivan Reitman, who helmed the previous two installments.

Shortly after Ramis' death, Sony acknowledged that there had to be rewrites to respectfully acknowledge Egon's absence, but that the film would move forward. But Reitman tells Deadline that, following Ramis' funeral, he'd decided to step down from directing duties and help Sony head Amy Pascal find a suitable replacement, while remaining on board as a producer.

In Reitman's words:

"There has been all kinds of stuff, unofficially written about 'Ghostbusters' ... I’ve been reading things online for about four years, speculation on who’s writing, what they’re writing, who’s in it, who we will use, and who’s directing. We’d decided not to comment up till now, I wasn’t sure what I was going to do, and it was never clear what Bill was going to do. A lot of things happened in the last few months, the most significant of which was the passing of Harold, who was a very good friend who was extraordinarily influential in my career. We did five movies together including both 'Ghostbusters'."

Reitman, as well as Ramis and Dan Aykroyd, has been a pretty sure bet as a returning director during the "GB3" saga -- which he confirms -- that's involved a couple scripts, and Bill Murray being in, then out, then ... who is keeping count? The director also confirms the script was to involve the original gang in a "very minor role" as they pass the torch to a new team.

As for when we might see the "Ghostbusters" reboot, set again in New York, Reitman says he and Sony already are working from a short list of directors and points to "the beginning of 2015" as the start of production.

-Aaron Sagers

'Ghostbusters III' Script to be Modified After the Death of Harold Ramis

Courtesy FanboyGaming.com

After losing Hollywood legend, Harold Ramis, many people assumed that the long rumored third installment of the "Ghostbusters" franchise would be sent into the containment chamber and forgotten. According to the Hollywood Reporter, however, Sony has revealed that the film will continue.

The script, which was penned by "The Office" writers Gene Stupnitsky and Lee Eisenberg, will be undergoing minor rewrites, as Ramis was set to make a cameo appearance as Dr. Egon Spengler. Though the current plot hasn't been revealed, it has been eluded to that the original team of Venkman, Spengler and Stantz would be passing their Proton Packs onto a group of ghost-busting newbs.

Prior to Ramis' passing, the script wasn't far enough along to start filming in 2014. Ivan Reitman, who will be directing the sequel, is said to be meeting with Sony production executives in the near future to discuss how to proceed on the film, which is said to be in active production. Ramis passed away after a battling complications from a rare autoimmune disease on February 24, 2014.

-Nowal Massari

'Ghostbusters' live read reveals script secrets

A re-imagined GB cast with Black, Rogen, Wilson
Courtesy EW

Jason Reitman is not only an acclaimed filmmaker (Jennifer’s Body, Juno) but is the son of Ghostbusters director, Ivan Reitman. He also does this really cool "live-read" of famous movies such as The Princess Bride and The Breakfast Club, featuring famous actors.

Naturally, doing a live-read of Ghostbusters was an easy choice since he had access to, not only the original script from dear old dad, but spent time on the set as a boy - and that's what he did Dec. 13 at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art with Seth Rogen (reading as Venkman), Jack Black (Ray), Rainn Wilson (Egon) and Kristen Bell (Dana).

"It was a part of my life growing up," Reitman told Entertainment Weekly about his decision to do the GB read.

Latest 'Ghostbusters 3' news: Murray in? Aykroyd guarantees hit, parts 3,4?

Aykroyd, courtesy Sony Pictures

Interesting news day on the continuing Ghostbusters 3 saga but the end questions remain the same:

Will Bill Murray do it or won't he, and is this movie actually happening?

First up is an interview with Dan Aykroyd in Esquire. In addition to touching on his personal connection to the paranormal, Aykroyd confirms that he is still on the GB3 wagon and remains the big "cheerleader" of the project.

While the script isn't finalized, Aykroyd says, "I've worked on every draft in the last three years, as Ivan [Reitman] has, and now we have a story and a draft that everybody seems to agree would make the third movie. At this point, I think we're closer than we ever have been."

'Ghostbusters 3' going full streams ahead

Courtesy Universal

Production of a third installment of the beloved paranormal hit - that no doubt launched the ghost hunting craze we're familiar with today - is coming to fruition. Ghostbusters and even Ghostbusters II, were box office successes, and fans have been hoping for a third for many years. Bill Murray has been blamed for the stalling due to lack of interest but he has hinted that his involvement is "a possibility."

According to ScreenRant.com, "Ghostbusters 3 at last began to show some genuine signs of (after)life again three months ago when Etan Cohen (Men in Black III) struck a deal to rework the script. Later, [Dan] Aykroyd reiterated his previous claims that Murray is passing on the film and voiced confidence that production will get underway sometime over the next year." Also according to the site, Ivan Reitman will be directing.

Do you think this film is headed for a disaster of biblical proportions or will it scare up a huge take at the box office? Will Venkman be back to get slimed? Will we ever get to see Dr. Spengler's spores, molds, and fungus collection? We hope to Gozer that the answer is YES!

-Larissa Mrykalo

Bill Murray on 'Ghostbusters 3': 'We'll try again'

Courtesy Universal

We missed this last week, but Bill Murray stopped by Late Show with David Letterman. Letterman was asking Murray about his past projects and couldn't resist pressing the actor about the status of the much-discussed Ghostbusters 3. Murray 

"Well, that's what they all wanted to know at Cannes, too ... you know, you just had to have a relally good script. You know, it's hard. I mean, even the second Ghostbusters wasn't as much fun for me as the first one. It's hard to make a sequel, it's got to be really funny. And that first one was so darn funny. It's hard for me ..."

When Letterman followed up by asking if anyone was working on a script,

"Well, I think ... we'll try again. I think. You know, I always drag my feet on it ..."

Watch the clip below: