ComingSoon.net just got off the phone with filmmaker Harold Ramis, always a wonderful and charming interview subject for sure. We talked a little about his new movie Year One, starring Jack Black and Michael Cera, which hits theaters next week, plus he’s also being honored with a Screenwriting Tribute and taking part in an All-Star Comedy panel at this year’s Nantucket Film Festival. (Oh, and we should mention that panel includes Ben Stiller, Peter Farrelly and John Hamburg, too!)
There’s been a lot of talk lately about the planned Ghostbusters 3, as the original movie celebrates its 25th Anniversary and having been twenty years since the last installment. Ramis has been developing the three-quel along with his Year One writers Gene Stupnitsky and Lee Eisenberg, best known as part of the writing staff on “The Office,” so we asked him for a brief update.
“I wrote the story for the new movie with them, and Dan and I’ve been consulting. We’re just waiting to see a first draft and where we are,” Ramis told us, although he’s very optimistic it will happen with Bill Murray and Ernie Hudson returning as well. “Everyone says they’ll do it, they’ve all said they’ll do it. No one has signed anything yet–we haven’t signed anything either–but there’s the spirit of willingness in the air.”
Last week, Ivan Reitman was asked by MTV about his involvement in the project, but Ramis isn’t so sure Reitman would want to direct it, even though it’s obviously too early to tell. “I don’t think he wants to; I’m not sure I want to (direct). It’s just a lot of open questions. Until we see a script, I don’t think anyone really knows how they feel about it. Everyone’s open to doing it, that’s the main thing, that’s what got it moving forward.”
He did confirm that there will be a younger cast donning the backpacks and outfits with the original cast acting more as mentors to them. “Oh, yeah. There will be new Ghostbusters. It’s not about us running around. We’ll be introducing new people.”
Look for our full interview with Mr. Ramis sometime next week. In the meantime, let us know if you’re a fan of the original “Ghostbusters” movies and might be interested in the return of the franchise.
