Fri Sep 5, 2008 — by Robert Greenberger

'Ghostbusters' Reunion Eyed by Columbia

Studios Hires 'Office' Producers for new Script

After years of discussion, debate and rumor, it appears a third Ghostbusters film may finally be mounted in 2009.  Columbia told Varietyyesterday that they have hired Lee Eisenverg and Gene Stupnitsky, producers of NBC’s The Office, to pen a screenplay that would reunite the original quartet -- Harold Ramis, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Ernie Hudson. The producers have previously worked with Ramis on Year One.

Previous attempts to make a third installment always got stalled over money, especially profit participation.  The top stars have demanded such a high percentage from dollar one that the studio could not reasonably expect to see any profit.  Currently, Columbia caps their profit participation to 25% so this is seen as a sticking point.

Should the financials be worked out, the movie would most likely be shot in 2009 for a 2010 release, which fits Columbia’s needs quite well as they lack a tentpole picture for that summer. Right now, they have The Green Hornet pencilled in for June 2010 but that has yet to start shooting as has their hope for 2011, Spider-Man 4.
 

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