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Columbia Pictures has hired the writer-producers of “The
Office” to pen the script for an upcoming third installment in the beloved
1980s franchise that had Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis and Ernie Hudson
make famous one unconventional profession: busting ghosts.
The Hollywood Reporter announced that Gene Stupnitsky and
Lee Eisenberg have been signed up by Columbia Pictures to put the words
together for one very special script: that of a third “Ghostbusters” movie.
The project is certain to retain some of that old feeling as
a great part of the people involved in the creation of the first two films are
involved in its development: the original filmmakers, including director Ivan
Reitman, and cast members.
Some original cast members may be involved, per the
Hollywood Reporter, but not in central roles.
Columbia
is putting its hope in the Emmy-nominated Stupnitsky and Eisenberg, who won
critical acclaim for the NBC sitcom “The Office.”
The wheels have already been somewhat oiled, as the pair
have previously collaborated with Harold Ramis when writing “Year One,” a
biblical comedy produced by Judd Apatow, directed by Ramis and due for release
in 2009 via Sony.
Sony is also owner of Columbia Pictures.
“Ghostbusters” was king of the box office in 1984, its
release year, by selling tickets worth an astounding $230 million domestically.
Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis and Ernie Hudson starred as oddball
parapsychologists who make a livelihood out of busting ghosts the professional
way, complete with scientific equipment, courage and determination.
Annie Potts was the ghost exterminators’ secretary while
Sigourney Weaver portrayed one of their clients (and at the same time love
interest of Murray’s
character).
A sequel followed in 1989, “Ghostbusters II,” which also
fared well at the box office but received both positive and negative critical
reviews. It did gross $215 million worldwide, which goes to show moviegoers
were simply eager to have fun again. Twenty years later, is the enthusiasm
still there? Probably yes.
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