Details of the 2009 GHOSTBUSTERS 3 Script Revealed
Bloody-Disgusting got their hands on a copy of the Ghostbusters 3 script written by Gene Stupnitsky and Lee Eisenberg back in 2009. This version of the script will never be made into a movie, so I wouldn’t worry about any spoilers. Bridesmaids director Paul Feig has taken the reigns and is set to direct and co-write a Ghostbusters reboot that will feature a female cast of Ghostbusters.
The script definitely sounds like it would have made for an interesting movie. The site did a breakdown of the story and they reveal all the details you need to know about what this film would have been. I’ve included a rundown of the film below with a few excepts from the report.
There are some aspects that I like about this, and other things that I don’t. One thing is for sure is that it doesn’t capture the spirit of the original film. I can see why Bill Murray didn’t want to be a part of it.
"The script opens with a prologue similar to the first Ghostbusters. Two museum security guards are walking down a narrow hallway at night, boring each other with droll chit-chat. They turn a corner to see objects floating about, aimed right for them. An apparition appears, with long arms and legs and no face. It’s speaks some kind of ancient incantation, then attacks.
"Cut to a hyper-stylized commercial for Ghostbusters, Inc. -complete with obnoxious dub step version of the classic theme song. The rag-tag business started by the original guys is now run like any other corporation, with shit-eating CEO TODD PRENDAGHAST in charge. How loathsome is Todd? He keeps SLIMER in a glass-walled containment unit as a trophy."
As for where our favorite characters are in the story, Dr. Ray Stantz (Dan Aykroyd) and Dr. Egon Spengler (Harold Ramis) no longer run the Ghostbusters company. They were removed from their top positions when they destroyed the Triborough Bridge while trying to capture some kind of ghostly entity. They still work for the company, but they have been demoted to "first responders." They work with Dana Barrett’s Oscar Barrett, which was previously rumored. Winston Zeddemore (Ernie Hudson) still works for the team, but he’s now just a mechanic. As for Peter Venkman (Bill Murray), he landed the job of being the mayor of New York City. Apparently he won the election based on an anti-Ghostbusters campaign. This obviously didn't go over very well with Ray and Egon, and they no longer have contact with Venkman. Janine Melnitz (Annie Potts) is also Venkman's "secretary and chief advisor."
The team is brought back together after several incidents occur that involve a “Class-5 Cross-Dimensional Snatcher.”
"Remember “Tobin’s Spirit Guide”? It’s the book referenced in the first Ghostbusters while they were researching Zuul. Here Ray uses it to conclude that the slender man spirit is WOLFRAM VON GRAUEN, one of the head architects of the Chicago World’s Fair of 1893. Hundreds of people vanished during the fair, possibly sacrificed in the basement of a building Von Grauen owned. The vile man was eventually thrown in an insane asylum on Staten Island. His belongings were auctioned off by the police and now his spirit is being drawn to them.
"Amazed that Ray and Egon figured it out so soon while Todd sat on his ass doing nothing about it, Venkman ousts Todd from his CEO position and reinstates Ray and Egon. What follows is a montage aimed at pushing the fans’ nostalgia buttons. A lot of imagery from the first two films appears, including a polished off Ecto-1. Ray even lets Slimer out of the containment unit, leading to a heartwarming and gooey reunion."
They even fire all of the current Ghostbusters, except for Oscar, and then bring in three new recruits. Their mission is to retrieve "Von Grauen’s cursed items." While they are doing this, Von Grauen's power summons a giant octopus-like creature from the ocean, which is referred to as an "Elder God." This leads to the final act of the story.
"The epic final battle sees the national guard, NYPD, recently fired employees of Ghosbusters, Inc., and the guys all blowing away at the immense creature. The NYC skies are lit up with gunfire and proton beams. They manage to slow the behemoth down, but the only way to stop it…you guessed it.
"They have to cross the streams. Knowing that it could kill them, Venkman makes the first selfless act he’s made in years and takes Oscar’s place. Even that bastard Todd steps up to lay his life down for the city. They manage to lure the creature to a prime spot near a skyscraper. There, the guys take one final sentimental look at one another and light it up. A bright white super beam plows into the creature and his guts and bile rain down on the city. They’ve slain the beast and saved the city once again. Only this time it cost them their lives.
"Cut to an undisclosed time in the near future. Ghostbusters, Inc. is going stronger than ever, with Winston in a high-paying position. Oscar is still working there as well. One night, Janine is working late and as she’s walking down the hall, she comes across the ghosts of Venkman, Ray, and Egon playing cards…"
So there it is. You can read the full detailed breakdown here. Do you think this would have made a good Ghostbusters sequel?