Luke Skywalker
Super Moderator
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Believe it or not, it's been 30 years since "Ghostbusters" first suited up, strapped on their proton packs and changed pop culture with comedy, special effects and an irresistible theme song. In honor of the blockbuster's 30th anniversary on June 8, we're catching up with where the paranormal-fighting crew is now.
As the charming Dr. Peter Venkman, Bill Murray could do no wrong in the eyes of the audience. Not much has changed since then. Most recently Murray acted in "Monuments Men" and "The Grand Budapest Hotel." In 2015, he'll provide voice work in a movie that would make Venkman proud: the animated comedy "B.O.O.: Bureau of Otherworldly Operations."
"Ghostbusters" was the brainchild of "Saturday Night Live" vet Dan Aykroyd, who apparently has a thing for ghosts. The resulting product is different from what Aykroyd initially envisioned (his first script had his "SNL" co-star John Belushi in mind), but it's nevertheless become a seminal piece of pop culture history. The actor who played Dr. Raymond Stantz is hard at work trying to get a "Ghostbusters III" off the ground. When he's not immersed in the spirit world, Aykroyd is still acting in other projects such as the upcoming James Brown biopic, "Get on Up."
Ramis died in February 2014, but the legacy of his work lives on: from "Caddyshack" to "Stripes" to Egon's perennial safety tip ("Don't cross the streams!"). " border="0" height="360" id="articleGalleryPhoto004" width="640"/>Harold Ramis was at the heart of the success of "Ghostbusters" -- as both the co-writer and the lovable nerd Dr. Egon Spengler. Ramis died in February 2014, but the legacy of his work lives on: from "Caddyshack" to "Stripes" to Egon's perennial safety tip ("Don't cross the streams!").
the C.E.O. of the Ghostbusters franchise."" border="0" height="360" id="articleGalleryPhoto005" width="640"/>As the fourth addition to the "Ghostbusters" team, Ernie Hudson provided the everyman comic relief. Since "Ghostbusters," Hudson has bounced between movies and TV, including a stint on the well-received "Oz." Yet he still has a soft spot for Winston Zeddmore -- if a third "Ghostbusters" ever happens, he sees him as "the C.E.O. of the Ghostbusters franchise."
No one could pull off being possessed while in full '80s glam like Sigourney Weaver. Her Dana Barrett was equal parts alluring and hilariously scary. These days, Weaver is devoting her talents to another huge franchise -- she's at work on the sequel to 2009's "Avatar," due out in December 2016.
Moranis decided to retire from on-screen acting in 1997 to be a stay-at-home dad following his wife's death. If you're really missing him, he released an album called "My Mother's Brisket & Other Love Songs" in 2013." border="0" height="360" id="articleGalleryPhoto007" width="640"/>Louis Tully was also a demonic force to be reckoned with in "Ghostbusters," but you couldn't help but feel badly for the guy with Rick Moranis playing him. After creating more family-friendly fare with the "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" franchise and "The Flintstones" Moranis decided to retire from on-screen acting in 1997 to be a stay-at-home dad following his wife's death. If you're really missing him, he released an album called "My Mother's Brisket & Other Love Songs" in 2013.
Annie Potts' Janine Melnitz may not have fought the ghosts like her employers did, but the secretary was just as tough as the boys -- if not tougher. (Seriously, can you imagine being the organizer in a paranormal containment operation?) There's much to recommend when Potts is around -- from "Ghostbusters" to "Designing Women" to "Pretty In Pink," These day she's popping up on ABC Family's "The Fosters."
William Atherton has a knack for playing annoying characters -- remember Richard Thornburg in "Die Hard"? -- and he put his talents to good use in "Ghostbusters" as a skeptical government official who kept getting in the way of the team's work. This year, he'll appear in the second season of Syfy's "Defiance."
The filmmaker has been dancing around a sequel to 1988's "Twins" that would star Arnold Schwarzenegger, Eddie Murphy and Danny DeVito. It would be called "Triplets."" border="0" height="360" id="articleGalleryPhoto0010" width="640"/>You can't talk about "Ghostbusters" without mentioning director Ivan Reitman, who also helmed another '80s comedy classic -- "Stripes." Reitman's work has been received with more ambivalence since then -- neither 2011's rom-com "No Strings Attached" nor 2014's "Draft Day" was as universally liked as "Ghostbusters," The filmmaker has been dancing around a sequel to 1988's "Twins" that would star Arnold Schwarzenegger, Eddie Murphy and Danny DeVito. It would be called "Triplets."
- Director Paul Feig might lead a new "Ghostbusters" movie
- It would be a reboot of the movie, and have an all-female cast
- Feig has tweeted reaction to the speculation
(CNN) -- Director Paul Feig might find himself leading a "Ghostbusters" reboot with an all-female cast, according to reports from Variety and The Hollywood Reporter.
Feig, who helmed high-performing, female-led comedies "Bridesmaids" and "The Heat," is said to have caught the eye of studio Sony to direct a new "Ghostbusters" film. It would be a reboot of the comedy, with actresses taking on the lead "Ghostbuster" roles.
According to Variety, it's unclear whether this project would take the place of the previously announced "Ghostbusters 3" movie, or if this is a separate project altogether.
"Ghostbusters 3" was announced in 2011, and Sony's Columbia Pictures told Vanity Fair in June 2014 that it's "currently working hard to re-create the magic of the original in order to bring a new 'Ghostbusters' adventure to life."
Still, the project hasn't been without its stumbling blocks. Bill Murray has declined to participate, the script has changed hands, and the passing of "Ghostbusters" star and co-writer Harold Ramis in February 2014 was another blow.
Following Ramis' death, director Ivan Reitman, who helmed both 1984's "Ghostbusters" and 1989's "Ghostbusters II," decided not to direct the third "Ghostbusters" feature but has remained with the movie as a producer.
While reports warn that no formal negotiations between Feig and the studio have taken place, it does seem that Feig is intrigued by the idea. On Twitter over the weekend, he re-tweeted reaction to the news that he could lead an all-female "Ghostbusters," and also appeared to respond to those who've scoffed at the all-women concept as a "gimmick."
Ghostbusters 3 with an all female cast & @paulfeig directing sounds great! Kick it up another notch and add these 2 pic.twitter.com/F1cUiuUpyu
— AndrewEricPlotkin (@andreweplotkin) August 2, 2014
It's important to remember that @paulfeig has already made a foray into the realm of female action stars. pic.twitter.com/BYms8P34x0
— Rachel (@RachFarb) August 2, 2014
"Interesting how making a movie with men in the lead roles is normal but making a movie with women in the lead roles is a 'gimmick,' " Feig tweeted with the hashtag, "#its2014."
