William BagleyAnswering the call: Ghostbusters Return
November 16th 2007 08:07
Well it's about time, that's all I can say. The Ghostbusters, an 80's classic that defined my very existence as a child, are returning ... to the game screen, no less.
The real sequel has been on again and off again so many times over the years, it's actually a little surprising that this has finally come about. Vivendi and Sony will publish the game across just about every major platform, with two teams working on two versions. Terminal Reality will work on the 360, PS3 and PC editions, while Red Fly Studio have been handed the task of bringing a more family oriented version to Wii, DS and PS2.
But the important information is, of course, the cast. Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Bill Murray and Harold Ramis have all, reportedly, signed on to reprise their roles, lending both likeness and voice. Even William Atherton and Annie Potts will return, although no mention of the two other key members of the original cast, Rick Moranis and Sigourney Weaver.
And the story? Aykroyd and Ramis will pen the script once more, setting it in 90's New York. So don't expect any new characters with nuclear accelerators attached to their backs, but plenty of familiar faces in terms of the enemies they encounter.
The project makes sense. Apparently, Murray was the only original cast member not interested in another movie, but at least here he doesn't have to do much at all to take part. The rest of the cast, having aged and built up a little in the weight department, would find it hard to play to the same level of action as the originals, so just sitting back and recording a few lines in an air-conditioned studio could be classified as the easiest job any of them have ever had.
And of course, cast your mind back to rumours of Ghostbusters in Hell, a name that was thrown out there by Aykroyd at one point, revolving around the heroes finding a portal to a dull, boring and fire infested alternate version of New York. That's not to suggest this particular video game will feature that same story, but I kinda warmed to the idea ... see what I did there?
It's a shame, though, that it's taken this long to continue the story, in some way or form. I still consider the series as one of the most original and entertaining in movie history, so of course, I'm glad that the true heroes are making a comeback. But it isn't the way I'd like it to be. There's so much more that could have been done here ... but I guess it's better to have something then nothing at all, right?
The real sequel has been on again and off again so many times over the years, it's actually a little surprising that this has finally come about. Vivendi and Sony will publish the game across just about every major platform, with two teams working on two versions. Terminal Reality will work on the 360, PS3 and PC editions, while Red Fly Studio have been handed the task of bringing a more family oriented version to Wii, DS and PS2.
But the important information is, of course, the cast. Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Bill Murray and Harold Ramis have all, reportedly, signed on to reprise their roles, lending both likeness and voice. Even William Atherton and Annie Potts will return, although no mention of the two other key members of the original cast, Rick Moranis and Sigourney Weaver.
And the story? Aykroyd and Ramis will pen the script once more, setting it in 90's New York. So don't expect any new characters with nuclear accelerators attached to their backs, but plenty of familiar faces in terms of the enemies they encounter.
Oh Mr Stay-Puff ... how I missed you
The project makes sense. Apparently, Murray was the only original cast member not interested in another movie, but at least here he doesn't have to do much at all to take part. The rest of the cast, having aged and built up a little in the weight department, would find it hard to play to the same level of action as the originals, so just sitting back and recording a few lines in an air-conditioned studio could be classified as the easiest job any of them have ever had.
And of course, cast your mind back to rumours of Ghostbusters in Hell, a name that was thrown out there by Aykroyd at one point, revolving around the heroes finding a portal to a dull, boring and fire infested alternate version of New York. That's not to suggest this particular video game will feature that same story, but I kinda warmed to the idea ... see what I did there?
It's a shame, though, that it's taken this long to continue the story, in some way or form. I still consider the series as one of the most original and entertaining in movie history, so of course, I'm glad that the true heroes are making a comeback. But it isn't the way I'd like it to be. There's so much more that could have been done here ... but I guess it's better to have something then nothing at all, right?
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