Depending on your perspective, it is either a very good or a very bad time to be aGhostbustersfan. The all-female reboot which is directed byPaul Feigis dropping next month and, despite your feelings about that specifically, it does mean there is a lot of otherGhostbustersgoodness on the way. To that point, today, Sony Animation confirmed that they have a new animated series based on the movie coming in 2018.
Sonyannounced in a press release today that they are creating a newGhostbustersanimated series that takes place in the future. The show, which will be calledGhostbusters: Ecto Force, is an extension of what Sony has planned on the film side of things, which Sony has officially dubbed the “Ghostbusters Cinematic Universe.” Here is how Sony described the new series in their press release.
“(The new series) will further expand the Ghostbusters cinematic universe and focus on a new generation of Ghostbusters in the year 2050 who captureghostsaround the world with help from local teams-and some very cool gear.”
Ivan Reitman, the director of the originalGhostbusters, will be returning to the franchise to help produceGhostbusters: Ecto Forcethrough his Ghost Corps. Production company. Prior to the currentFeigmovie,Reitmanhad been working on various ideas for aGhostbusters 3and last year there were rumors that he was working on another newGhostbustersmovie with a new male cast. That has since been cancelled. Outside of this new animated series and the reboot, it does appear that Sony has bigger plans for the property, though it is somewhat unclear what those plans are at the moment, but the company has reportedly hiredFletcher Moulesto direct aGhostbustersanimated movie as well.
In addition to the newGhostbusters series, Sony also announced today that they will be planning a couple of other shows based on some of their successful animated properties.Hotel Transylvania: The Television Serieswill be happening in 2017, following the success of the first two movies. The show will focus on the characters in their teenage years and will be airing on Disney Channel. Lastly, Sony also announced aCloudy With A Chance of Meatballsseries, which will also be airing in 2017 on Cartoon Network.
The rebootedGhostbusterswas something that Sony was very high on initially and put a lot of resources into as they seemed to have a lot of confidence in it.Feigcame off ofSpywhich was a big critical and financial success and he has a great history working with female driven casts, going back toBridesmaids. The cast also seems very solid, withKristen Wiig,Leslie Jones,Kate McKinnonandMelissa McCarthyin the lead roles, withChris Hemsworthalong for the ride as well. However, many fans were very upset about the idea of an all-female reboot and when the first trailer came out, it was met with widespread poor reception, eventually becoming the most disliked movie trailer in the history of YouTube. On the flip side, originalGhostbustersstarDan Aykroydhas seen the movie and praised it.
“As originator of the original: Saw test screening of new movie. Apart from brilliant, genuine performances from the cast both female and male, it has more laughs and more scares than the first 2 films plus Bill Murray is in it! As one of millions of man-fans and Ray Stantz, I’m paying to see that and bringing all my friends!”
The originalGhostbusterswas an absolute smash hit in 1984 and went on to become a classic and is considered to be one of the greatest comedies of all-time. It grossed $295 million worldwide and spawned a sequel that was also very successful, but less beloved.Hotel TransylvaniaandCloudy With A Chance of Meatballs, though newer, were both very successful at the box office and spawned sequels and seem like properties that could easily lend themselves to a TV show. TheGhostbustersreboot is set for a July 15 release andGhostbusters: Ecto Forceis slated for an early 2018 debut.
