Sony to Create 'Ghostbusters' Cinematic Universe
In its bid to expand its hold in the box office, Sony is once again exploring the possibility of creating its own cinematic universe with one of the few films it still owns rights to -- "Ghostbusters." Sony's plans became more concrete when it hired the film's director Ivan Reitman and the film's co-creator and one of its lead stars Dan Aykroyd to supposedly helm Ghost Corps, the unit that will oversee the establishment of this universe.
According to a report in The Guardian, the new cinematic universe will be kicked off with a new "Ghostbusters" movie starring Channing Tatum. Joe and Anthony Russo, who directed "Captain America: The Winter Soldier," will be directing the movie, while "Iron Man 3" screenwriter Drew Pearce will pen the screenplay. Tatum, however, has not officially signed on yet.
Aykroyd has been persistently trying to get a remake of the movie off the ground, but he has been unsuccessful in convincing his co-star Bill Murray to come back as Peter Venkman. Reitman wasoriginally interested in directing a remake but he changed his mind after Harold Ramis' death. Ramis was one of the film's lead stars.
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Sony also recently started the production of an all-female version of "Ghostbusters," to be starred in by Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones in the four lead roles. This film is said to be directed by Paul Feig, who also directed McCarthy and Wiig in "Bridesmaids." This all-female version will supposedly be the first film of the universe.
"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. Paul Feig's film will be the first version of that, shooting in June to come out in July 2016," Reitman told Deadline. "He's got four of the funniest women in the world, and there will be other surprises to come."
Sony is trying to regain a foothold in the film industry as it is one of the studios who only have a few movie franchises in their name. They recently struck a deal with Marvel to reboot the "Spiderman" franchise and have the superhero appear in Marvel movies.
