Co-writer/director Jason Reitman opens up about how the 2016 remake of the Ghostbusters franchise influenced the story for Ghostbusters: Afterlife. Following an elongated development cycle in which the original Ghostbusters cast, namely Bill Murray, frequently changed their minds on returning for a third film, Sony Pictures would elect to reboot the series with the female-fronted 2016 remake from Bridesmaids' Paul Feig. Though having seen a generally positive critical reception, the film would ultimately be the target of review bombing from fans and would largely underperform at the box office, losing Sony a reported $70 million.
This underperformance would see plans for sequels scrapped and the Ghostbusters franchise lay dormant for a few years until it was announced that Jason Reitman, son of original director/producer Ivan, would co-write and direct a sequel to the original films. Ghostbusters: Afterlife centers on Callie, daughter to Harold Ramis' Egon Spengler, as she and her kids are evicted and forced to move to a decrepit Oklahoma farmhouse left to them by Egon. Discovering his old Ghostbusters equipment and ominous supernatural events occurring in the town, Egon's grandchildren must team with other local kids and science teacher Mr. Grooberson to save the world.
In anticipation of the film's release next month, Reitman recently spoke with SFX Magazine (via CBR) to discuss Ghostbusters: Afterlife. The co-writer/director opened up about the 2016 reboot's influence on the new sequel, explaining how it opened his eyes to the possibility of moving past the original cast and the angle he and co-writer Kenan settled on for the story. See what Reitman said below:
"I think that the remake proved, at least to me, the idea that the Ghostbusters could be anyone, and I expanded on this idea with Afterlife while always focusing on the family aspect and the history that was created by the original films. Every Ghostbusters film has, up until now, been about the opening of a company, friendship through the window of a business. [Co-writer] Gil [Kenan] and I wanted to make a movie about family."
The 2016 Ghostbusters remake has continued to be divisive amongst critics and audiences alike five years on from its release, with some commending its comedy and cast while others lambasted its cynical approach to the material. Reitman's decision to bring the franchise back to its roots has been generally praised by longtime fans of the series and his comments regarding 2016's influence on the sequel should come as better proof of his being the proper filmmaker to have continued the franchise. The decision to shift away from the original titular team is one fans will always take umbrage with to some degree, though by keeping its ties to the iconic first films and delivering a moving family story at the same time, Reitman certainly has seemed to put the Ghostbusters franchise back on track for the future.
Early reactions to Ghostbusters: Afterlife have echoed the same sentiment since the film's surprise screening at CinemaCon in August. Though no sequel plans past the film have been announced, the early anticipation and positive reception to the latest installment are sure to create interest in Sony to begin planning a follow-up. Only time will tell what the future may hold for the franchise when Ghostbusters: Afterlife hits theaters on November 19.
Source: SFX Magazine (Via CBR)
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