The new ‘Ghostbusters’ could be better and funnier, says Aykroyd.
And the Army sergeant who paid tribute withthreeGhostbusters tattoos, including one of Mr. Stay-Puft.
They collected stuff I didnt even know existed any more, says Reitman, who penned the books introduction.
Credit: Insight Editions
Its really a love-letter to the [two] movies and to the whole idea of Ghostbusters.
It was really quite factory-like, says Aykroyd, who wrote the new books foreword.
The basement was painted Third Reich green and had horrible stains on the block walls.
I had some bunk beds set up with blinds.
It looked like a hospital ward in a German war hospital.
It was quite depressing.
What I remember was the confidence that the three of us had in getting there, says Reitman.
We just worked all day until dinner time, and we just kept adding very, very quickly.
After two weeks, we actually had a draft.
It wasnt the greatest draft, but it was a pretty amazing draft, nevertheless, that worked.
Afterwards, back in Los Angeles, the script was shaped even further.
Look, he was not interested in doing thesecondone, says Reitman, with a chuckle.
He doesnt really like the idea of sequels, and we were burdened with that at the start.
We got close a few times.
Hes got very high standards and a high bulls detector.
It was time, says Reitman, whos producing the new movie along with Aykroyd and others.
But also, you know, there might be more jokes in it.
Im really happy with what Im seeing.
Aykroyd cameos in the new film opposite Wiigs character though not as Ray Stantz.
None of us lobbied to be in the third movie, he says.
We all felt that this Paul Feig concept was so strong that we didnt have to be in it.
But he called me.
And of course, I said, I want to help in any way I can.'
But any hurt feelings have been resolved, and Reitman insists that Hudson was mistaken.
It was quite the opposite.
We didnt take a single scene out.
In fact, we added a lot to his part.
I told him all that, and then he apologized.
So Hudson is back in the Ghostbusters fold, but Rick Moranis still remains distant.
But he didnt want to do it, and thats his prerogative to say no.
But we all wanted him and all we could do is make the suggestion.
Moranis decision not to participate stands out slightly more because the new Ghostbusters even persuaded Murray to show up.
First of all, its a great scene, says Reitman.
I finally called him up and I said, Bill, you have to do this.
This movies great, and youre going to feel silly not being part of it.
Its nice to have him back onboard.
Just because hes no longer playing Venkman doesnt mean that Murray wasnt Venkmanesque.
[The ladies] were swooning after he left, says Aykroyd.
And he said, [The new Ghostbusters are] all so great.'
But will the new Ghostbusters be embraced when the movie opens in theaters on July 15?
But resurrecting any classic comes with risks and an unbelievably high bar that Reitman acknowledges.
Theres always going to be people who are going to say, Hey, its not as good!'
says Reitman, who expects to see a cut of the film in the next two weeks.
That may be true.
But I believe the movie is going to be quite wonderful, because I know the cast works.
The ladies in this new film are in every way as talented as that original group of actors were.
Theyre at the same place in their lives as Bill and Dan and Harold were when we didGhostbusters.
I have a lot of faith in it, and I have a lot of faith in Paul.
