When I was eight years old, Ghostbusters wasn't just my favourite movie; it was also the source of my favourite music. I had the soundtrack on cassette (remember those?) and it was the only thing that I listened to regularly on my off-brand walkman. I must have instinctively known that being a Ghostbusters fanboy wasn't particularly cool, because when a pretty girl in my class asked me who my favourite bands were, I softened the blow by naming Ray Parker Jr. and Air Supply, both of whom featured on the soundtrack. I should mention here that I cannot now, nor could I then, name a single Ray Parker Jr. Song other than Ghostbusters. Similarly, I can't name a single Air Supply tune, even the one used in the movie, since I primarily just listened to the title track over and over again. Anyway, my eight year old crush was unimpressed, and I was left with just Peter Venkman and the other Ghostbusters for company, on VHS of course.
So, it was with a mix of fond memories and utter horror that I greeted the growing rumours around a potential 2012 release of Ghostbusters III. To compound matters, Moviefone ran an April Fool's news story announcing that Bill Murray had signed on to do Ghostbusters III and IV, and several online news outlets picked up the prank as a real story. In reality, although Murray has hinted that he may do the film, the internet is awash with stories about the project, all of which Director Ivan Reitman has pronounced false. Still, since many of the rumours contradict each other, Reitman's statement can only be inferred to mean that no one in the press has the full story.
Who's In?
Internet Movie DataBase (IMDB.com) website has announced several possible new additions to the cast. First off, there's House Bunny star Anna Faris, who would presumably be one of the next generation of Ghostbusters adorning the latest version of the script. To be frank, Faris bores me to tears. Her turn on Entourage was perhaps the least inspired guest star spot the show has ever seen, leaving me to wonder who dropped out at the last minute. Next up, Saturday Night Live's Bill Hader is also being touted as a fledgling Ghostbuster, possibly as Oscar, the grown-up son of Sigourney Weaver's character Dana Barrett, who featured as an infant in Ghostbusters II. Hader's comedic performances in Superbad and Pineapple Express, as well as on the TV series 30 Rock, have all been terrific so he'll be a fabulous addition to the cast. Please let that snippet of casting gossip be true!
Boom or Bust?
But here's the thing; much like the oft lamented Star Wars prequels or the extremely questionable fourth installment of the Indiana Jones franchise with go-to guy of the moment, Shia LaBeouf; breathing new life into old favourites can be a dangerous activity. By altering the present you're screwing with nostalgia, potentially scratching the rose-coloured lens of childhood. So, here's my warning shot to Reitman and company: Do not screw it up! Oh, and don't bother making a film without an ample dose of Bill Murray. The man is like comedic butter, he makes everything he's in better. Let's hope Dan Akroyd and Ivan Reitman have still got Murray's phone number. Or at the very least his proton pack access code.
Our favourite Ghostbustes moments...
The first Job
Annie Potts rings the buzzer, rallying the boys into action for their first job in the first movie. So exciting!
Lady Liberty
In Ghostbusters II the team animates the Statue of Liberty to create one tall, torch wielding ally in the fight against evil.
The Stay Puft Marshmallow Man
At the climax of the first film, Ray is unable to keep thoughts from entering his mind, inadvertently summoning this titanic treat to battle the ‘busters.
''Shut it down''
Why does veteran character actor William Atherton always play a douches? Because he's great at it, and not better than in the first film when he plays the bureaucrat who shuts off the power to the Ghostbuster's ghost containment grid.
"I got slimed”
Long before the Kid's Choice Awards, Bill Murray immortalised these words as Peter Venkman, lying in a hotel corridor covered by Slimer's handy work.
