The Sony hacking scandal may not be in the news much any longer (thank goodness), but the truth is many of the most wacked out ideas revealed during that time are really happening. Marvel and Sony struck their Spider-Man deal; that insane 21 Jump Street/Men in Black crossover is still alive; and now Channing Tatum and Chris Pratt's proposed Ghostbusters spinoff is officially a "go".
According to Deadline, Sony is looking to expand the Ghostbusters franchise beyond Paul Feig's female-driven comedy by green lighting the film Tatum had been pitching to Sony last summer. He'll produce with partner Reid Carolin and likely star, and he's bringing along the Russo Brothers (Captain America: The Winter Soldier) to direct. While it's not confirmed, Pratt is expected to have a role, as well. Basically it's working out exactly as Tatum had planned it. The only new addition is Iron Man 3 screenwriter Drew Pearce, who will pen what is being called a "counterpoint" to Feig's film. So what does that mean? Probably this one will be filled with plenty of bone-headed dudes.
Feig's movie will arrive in 2016 as planned while Tatum's gets a 2017 slot. And this could be just a small part if building an entire Ghostbusters "shared universe" if Badass Digest's story is correct. They say as many as four movies could be on the way, with a big "Avengers"-style crossover after the first two movies open.
Here's what Ivan Reitman, who has just formed a new production company housed at Sony, had to say about the future of Ghostbusters...
"We want to expand the Ghostbusters universe in ways that will include different films, TV shows, merchandise, all things that are part of modern filmed entertainment. This is a branded entertainment, a scary supernatural premise mixed with comedy. Paul Feig’s film will be the first version of that, shooting in June to come out in July 2016. He’s got four of the funniest women in the world, and there will be other surprises to come. The second film has a wonderful idea that builds on that. Drew will start writing and the hope is to be ready for the Russo Brothers’ next window next summer to shoot, with the movie coming out the following year. It’s just the beginning of what I hope will be a lot of wonderful movies.”
This also might be a way for Reitman and Dan Akroyd to develop a more traditional take on the Ghostbusters similar to the film they invested years trying to get off the ground.
