In the wake of the renewed Venkman-as-ghost buzz, Cinematical decided to up the ante by revealing that they “have it on very good authority” that the mythology at the core of the third film is Zoroastrianism. Cinematical’s Wiki research puts it as “one of the earliest religions on record.” Based on that little tidbit, they posit the idea that the Zoroastrian personification of evil, Ahriman, could be the villan. And then they totally back down from that plan, as they have nothing by conjecture. Which is fine. However;
Ghostbusters already set itself up using Sumerian/Babylonian mythology, which predates Zoroastrianism by a bit – by thousands of years if you add in the hint of Lovecraft also used. So why Zoroastrianism (if this is indeed true)? Well, because it’s a very familiar, Christian concept of heaven, hell, god, the devil, without actually being Christian… which makes it a nice middle ground. It also suggests that some of the themes from Hellbent aren’t gone. Hellbent used a tongue-in-cheek version of Judeo-Christian themes. Hell featured prominently, lead by a slightly re-branded Lucifer. Even God puts in an appearance.
So, Cinematical’s unverified rumour isn’t exactly a bad one, given the history of the third film’s script. And honestly, we’ve had Sumerian gods, a magician, then Lovecraft cults in the video game… the sky is the limit for the third film.
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As long as there are lots and lots of ghosts.
amen
i second that
Thirdest? Thirdly? Third-men? …. more ghosts…
How about lots and lots of witty and smart dialogue? That would be really nice.
Bit o both….
And a Venkman who isn’t dead? That’s kind of my highest priority right now.
This is especially interesting. I always had a desire that the original had a bit more basis in Sumerian/Babylonian mythology. Don’t get me wrong, I love Gozer and all, I just though it would have been cool to have tied the Goz to the Enuma Elish or Marduk and Tiamat. Same with Vigo, except more from the mysticism movements of the Renaissance.
Additionally, the whole Venkman as a ghost thing could be cool. I know nothing of the nature of the new script, (all my knowledge comes from here and other film news sites), but what if the tale they are weaving is along the lines of the RGB episode Egon’s Ghost? Maybe some scientific instrument goes awry or some supernatural event separates Venkman’s soul from his body and he in turn becomes a ghost. Then perhaps a new team would have to cross over to the netherworld (a la Hellbent) to reunite Peter with his soul. Just an idea and probably not what’s being scripted.
All I have to say about GB3 is PLEASE DON’T SUCK!
Liverstealer, that crossing over to rescue Venkman’s soul thing… That’s actually really awesome idea, despite it already happening in an RGB episode. It makes perfect sense why they would even go there – you know, to the other side. I think they’d do that for Peter if they knew he was in danger and needed the help. Unfortunately I think Murray just wants him to die. Even so, I hope the writers make us a good script with what they’ve been given.
Sounds good. I agree on the smart diologue and no ghost Venkman too. That would really be lame. I hope Murray is just yanking our chains.