Next ‘Ghostbusters’ to Start Filming in 2013

A new Ghostbusters film may finally, finally, finally be entering into production in 2013 according to an article in Deadline.

“Ghostbusters 3” is probably one of the most famous instances of “development hell” in film history. Scripts for a third film in the popular franchise have been floating around, being pitched, rewritten and dropped for literally decades. The series’ principle actors have waffled back and forth on their desire to be involved in a sequel again and again. Primarily, Bill Murray’s indecision has been a major point of contention. Possible new cast members rumored to be involved have ranged from Ben Stiller to Seth Rogen.

2009’s Ghostbusters: The Video Game from developer Terminal Reality finally brought everyone’s hopes for a new film to a head, as it featured almost the entire cast (including each of the titular Ghostbusters) as they reprised their roles from the first films. However, even that wasn’t enough to finally get the project off the ground.

Now, buried in a story concerning rumored director Ivan Reitman’s upcoming film “Draft Day,” we may possibly have confirmation that the film will begin production next year.

“Paramount chose not to make it in the small window that Reitman has before he is expected to finally get the long-gestating Ghostbusters reboot in front of the cameras next summer for Sony Pictures (sans Bill Murray). ... It would be tough to find room to squeeze in the football film and get done before Reitman goes back to Ghostbusters duty. Paramount insiders tell me that if the film can’t happen in this nearly impossibly short window, the studio could simply hang on to “Draft Day,” and make it after Reitman and Costner finish their obligations.”

Murray’s indecision concerning his own involvement with the film has been flagged as a primary reason for the decades long delay. While the actor is well known for having an aversion to sequels, he has continued to toy with the idea in public for years. In spite of this, he has been reluctant to give his blessing on a new film that didn’t involve him or the original cast. This has put the project in something of a bind as Murray’s name is practically synonymous with the franchise.

However, it seems that those others involved may have finally gotten fed up with the actor’s perennial feet-dragging and will just move on without him.

Dan Ackroyd made a statement much to that effect in August during an interview with Metro.

“It’s sad but we’re passing it on to a new generation. “Ghostbusters 3” can be a successful movie without Bill. My preference would be to have him involved but at this point he doesn’t seem to be coming and we have to move on. It’s time to make the third one.”

Whether this long-awaited follow-up will be an outright remake, or the “passing of the torch” story that has been shown in most previous scripts is yet to be determined. We’ll likely find out more as 2013 approaches.