Reasons not to be afraid of Ivan Reitman directing GHOSTBUSTERS 3

Reasons not to be afraid of Ivan Reitman directing GHOSTBUSTERS 3

Jan 15

Recent news that director Ivan Reitman will be slipping into the director’s chair again for the upcoming franchise-extending sequel Ghostbusters 3 perked my interest a great deal. There’s reason to believe this extra (some might say un-needed) Ghost Busters film could go horribly south– My Super Ex-Girlfriend (2006) seems a leading example amongst nay-sayers who think Reitman might have lost touch with pacing and execution of today’s comedy. Indeed, throughout the ninties Ivan struggled to deliver films that have the same lasting qualities that Ghost Busters has. Father’s Day (1997), Junior (1994) and Six Days Seven Nights (1998) are all worthy examples of his floundering work, but they all involve completely different elements that can’t compare to the unique nature of the Ghostbusters universe.

Reitman was responsible for co-writing and directing Ghost Busters (1984) & Ghostbusters 2 (1990) back when they could do no wrong (I realise part 2 is inferior to the original but it was still a lot of fun). It’s somewhat comforting to know that Columbia Pictures big-wig didn’t pluck a director from his short-list and assign Ghostbusters 3 to just anybody else. Using his own personal experience, Ivan has more chance of recouping some of that old magic and making it shine again on screen; more chance than any other director has.  I personally find a level of comfort in that. Why? Because, even though it is entirely about money, we know that there will be at least some heart and substance behind it.

This same comforting feeling also goes for the return of the original cast (some remain unsigned at this stage, but everyone is expected to sign on). Actors will trust Reitman with their characters again, allowing them to relax and deliver. Speaking of cast– right now it appears the plot will revolve around the original Ghost Busters (Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, Dan Aykroyd) handing the business over to some new bucks — and therefore, assuming this sequel is a success, future Ghostbusters films. In their own clever way they are attempting to reboot the franchise without completely violating the original by taking it to a task with a horrible remake.

Reitman recently directed the much-adored Ghostbusters video game, which would have worked well in sparking some old desires and ideas in the directors mind. He is also producing Ghostbusters 3 and is heavily involved in the scripting process (though he isn’t the writer– that task belongs to Lee Eisenberg & Gene Stupnitsky of The Office (US) and Year One (2009) fame).

I wish I could see into the future and just know Ghostbusters 3 would be a success. But recent revisits like Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008) have me clenching a little more than I might otherwise. There’s still a chance it doesn’t meet expectations, especially when you consider all the hurdles it has to conquer - modern comedy, quality special effects, PG-frights that are tame-but-still-spooky, nostalgia for those seeking it, and roping in a new generation for those who have never seen Ghost Busters (there’s bound to be some one). Yup, the challenge is steep. Hopefully that adds to the determination and some perfection ends up on the screen.

I’m not saying Ivan Reitman directing is necessarily the saving grace. Of all the other options, he seems to makes the most sense in this very unique case. The only other director they could have named that wouldn’t have made me screw my face up into that akward, disgusted expression would have been Jason Reitman. Obviously.

Ghostbusters 3 hopes to go into production later this year, and we hope to see it in cinemas in 2012.