This June marks the 30th anniversary of Ghostbusters and the 25th anniversary of its less successful sequel and fans are still clamoring for Ghostbusters 3. However, if there ever becomes a second sequel, you just know that you’ll be disappointed. The original was praised for its special effects (just think what they could do now!) has one of the catchiest theme songs in movie history (and assumed to be a rip-off of Huey Lewis and the News’ “I Want a New Drug.”), and considered by many to be one of the funniest movies of all time.
Modern legend states that Ghostbusters was originally to be called “Ghostmashers” and would have been a completely different movie. In the beginning, Dan Aykroyd envisioned a film for him and fellow Saturday Night Live pal, John Belushi where the two would time travel to fight off ghosts. Producer Ivan Reitman thought the idea was “financially impractical” so Aykroyd and Harold Ramis rewrote the script. The new script had parts written specially for Belushi, John Candy and Eddie Murphy, but was re-written again after Belushi died and the other two actors passed on the film. The end result starred Aykroyd , Ramis and Bill Murray as the ghost chasers and nobody can imagine the film any other way.
While a commercial success for the masses, many Christians who were in attendance struggled with the scenes of demonic possession. Some felt that fighting off ghosts was one thing, but portraying demons in a comedy was another thing altogether.
The popularity of the movie spawned two different cartoon TV shows (The Real Ghostbusters and Extreme Ghostbusters) and a number of video games including “Ghostbusters: Sanctum of Slime” in 2011, “Ghostbusters: Paranormal Blast” in 2012 and “Ghostbusters” in 2013.
For the film’s anniversary, a number of merchandise options will be available to purchase if not now, real soon. This includes a new 10-inch glow-in-the-dark album featuring the theme song by Ray Parker Jr. with new dance and dubstep remixes. Lego is producing a Ghostbusters set featuring the Ectomobile and minifigures of the movie’s main characters. It will retail for about $49.99 – no joke.
Finally, will there be a Ghostbusters 3? It depends on who you ask. A script was written in 2009 by Gene Stupnitsky and Lee Eisenberg, a pair of writers who worked on the script Year One with Harold Ramis. It would have featured a whole new cast but original members would have minor cameo roles. In 2012 it was reported that Aykroyd and Ramis were still rewriting the script with the thought that filming would begin in 2014. Then on February 24th, Ramis died causing more speculation. Since then, at least two new directors have been attached to the project and then scrapped as recently as April of this year.
Jeffrey Totey is lover of pop culture and tends to see spiritual truth in the oddest places. Sometimes he writes about fluff other times, he'll write about substance. You can read more of his work at Peanuts and Popcorn.
