Yes, have some.
Posted on May 30, 2008
We’re two months away from the San Diego Comic Con and whatever that brings (a big announcement and a lot of new Ghostbusters products), and five months away from the release of most of those products. And like good fans, we want it all now. Now!
Which is usually when the imagination runs wild, so now might be a good time to take stock of all things Ghostbusters. After the leap, I’ve arranged everything in the works (and a couple of things that may or may not be in the works) according to how much we know. Some things are a lock (like the game) and somethings are borderline wishful thinking - if it wasn’t turning into THE year for all things Ghostbusters, they’d be complete fiction. What’s not on the list are hopes - like a new comic series, or toys, or whatever. We all have those hopes, and they could certainly happen - there’s been enough suggestion that there’s still lots of great stuff to come, but we haven’t heard a single thing, so no sense confusing the issue.
All right - so, where we at?
Solid
Ghostbusters: The Video Game
While final gameplay and details on what (if any) multiplayer options will make it into the various games are still unknown, there no denying that this October (barring release drift) will see a new Ghostbuster game for PC, Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, PS2, and Nintendo DS – essentially, there will be three games, depending on the abilities of the system its made for – Next Gen, family friendly, and whatever ends up on the DS (most likely a simpler game with much more business RPG aspects – earn money, maintain the company, etc.)
Everybody from the original core cast is back, with the exception of Rick Moranis and Sigourney Weaver (who were both sought, but passed), the Elmer Bernstein score and Ray Parker Jr. theme will be featured, the proton pack will easily feature a dozen different “weapon” settings, there is a new damsel in distress, and Gozer is back, but not in its creepy fashion model form.
Practically Solid
Ghostbusters Blu-Ray
Even before they won the HD format wars, Sony was apparently already planning on a Blu-Ray edition of Ghostbusters – while there is no official word yet, a UK ad claimed a Region 2 Ghostbusters Blu-Ray this Fall. Hard to imagine then, as the clear winners of the format fight, Sony wouldn’t release an evergreen property like Ghostbusters. However, without official word, there are questions about release date, extra materials, and if there will be a Blu-Ray Ghostbusters 2.
Real Ghostbusters series on DVD
Time-Life, makers of some very sweet DVD sets for Get Smart and Man From U.N.C.L.E., will be apparently making a 26 disc set of the entire Real Ghostbusters and Slimer and the Real Ghostbusters series. Without a doubt, this plan would include some equally excellent extras materials, but hold onto your hat – no DVD mega set, and certainly not any of the Time-Life sets, come cheap. Best see if you can get at least $150 squirreled away.
This is based solely on the word of Gord at TVShowsOnDVD.com, however Gord is so careful with his sourcing the only thing that keeps this out of the Solid category is that no-one official has said, “yes, it’s happening.” Until someone says those magic words, there is still the potential this plan ceases.
Up-in-the-air
Ghostbusters: The Video Game on PSP
Once the game is running on the PS2, it’s not exactly a big leap to the PSP. And seeing as both the PSP and Ghostbusters are Sony babies, it’s seems a foregone conclusion – except that while the develops have said it’s been looking into, Sony has yet to sign off on the idea (and the funding.)
Ghostbusters… Manga?
Determined to own the souls of ever tweenaged girl in North America, TokyoPop have taken steps in recent years to start adding the rest of the geek world to their collection, by releasing books appealing to other areas of genre fandom (such as their Star Trek book.) All we have at this point is an Amazon listing (taking pre-orders now) and a page count of 190+ pages – that there is a book is solid, and a release date set for October makes it practically solid, but without an official announcement or a look at the art, there remains that very slim chance this is something out of Japan with a misleading (to us, anyhow) name. Fingers crossed.
Ghostbuster 2 Blu-Ray
As mentioned above, nobody has said anything about the second movie - certainly there’s more than enough extras materials out there that Sony could use to coax Ghostbusters fans to a whole new home video system. And it would be odd to put out the first movie, but not the second. But how fancy would that disc be? Until someone brings it up, we don’t even know there will be a Ghostbusters 2 disc.
Moving in the Shadows
“The suspense is terrible… I hope it’ll last.”
Who is the big villain in the Ghostbusters game? It’s pretty clear that Gozer is back – the developers have said as much. But beyond that… nothing. However, two curious pieces have been added to the puzzle, one official and one not, but oh so tantalizing.
Firstly, the developers have said that Gozer is back, but not as we’re familiar with from the first movie. In the original script, Gozer was intended (and indeed was even sketched in storyboarding) as a neat, thin man in a black suit. Paul “Pee Wee Herman” Rubens was in mind for the role before it all changed. But why waste a perfectly good idea?
The second little mystery comes from Gene Wilder’s MySpace page. While it’s true, MySpace has a lot of pages for celebrities that those same celebrities have nothing to do with, but this does not feel like one of those. Plus, it has a single note, made a year ago this week, apparently from Gene himself;
Sorry I have not been on here (Myspace) in awhile. As you all know my dear friend Gus takes care of my page but he is also away for a bit to take care of some family issues.
As of right now I am well. Thank you all for the kind messages and comments.
I currently am working on a project with Mr. Dan Aykroyd.
By the way. Do you believe in ghosts?; )
Stay tuned
-Gene
That’s not to say that Gene will voice a more gentlemanly version of Gozer – I am only guessing. But a Dan Aykroyd project involving ghosts… it’s got to be the video game, right?
Perhaps. Or perhaps Mr. Wilder is involved in something else.
“They use sense and nerve gasses… a fake electronic light show”
When I’m not posting on all things Ghostbusters, I haunt strange, far places. Well, the video game industry. And like all things, there is a grapevine. Out of that grapevine recently came the word that a company I’m familiar with was gearing up and the project was Ghostbusters. Which surprised me, as this company doesn’t make video games, they do computer generated imaging – both effects, and thanks to a recent acquisition, a company that makes CGI television programming. A quick check with Sony and Vivendi got a cautious shrug, and the assurance that all the cinematics for the video game were being handled in LA. However, the company in question has an office in LA, so…
What does this mean then? Absolutely nothing. It’s not enough data to be sure. The rumour could be wrong and the company isn’t doing anything of the sort. The company could in fact be working on some aspect of the video game or the Blu-Ray (discs need interfaces after all). I realize I’m obfuscating the name of the company, but I’m not in a position to mention them by name just yet. They are real and a well known company, even if everything about them here is just rumours and guesses. But there’s something to consider;
What’s the big announcement at San Diego Comic Con?
Looking at the list above, there’s not a lot left. Undoubtedly we’ll find out more about the game and Blu-Ray disc, but are they “big announcement” material? Not unless they’ve got something up their sleeve. Same goes for the RGB DVDs and TokyoPop projects – they fit the con perfectly, and the RGB DVD is a big deal that hasn’t been officially announced yet.
But does it warrant a teaser ad at WonderCon half a year in advance? And what’s all this about a company making something CGI with the Ghostbusters?
Try not to go crazy – it could be anything. But the options are tantalizing. It’s a little too easy to jump to a conclusion that fits our wishes. We need more information, or the big announcement, whichever comes first. In the meantime, I remain cautiously optimistic.
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Where’s the Bollywood Ghostbusters? I know the chances are not looking as good as they did, but still…
Oh yeah! Well, that’s not an extension of the Sony license, so I’m not sure where to put that. I might keep that separate.
Just a thought, we may finally see accurate Ghostbuster figures, perhaps the NECA Series 2 that we’ve all been waiting for. So… figures may be another part of the announcement.
I would LOVE an official announcement for the RGB DVD set.
Now, if I want get creative with the ComicCon announcement, what about some action figures of Peter, Winston, Egon and Ray? I know it’ll never happen cause Murray wont let it happen, but I can dream!
this summer has only begun and I already want it to end so I can get closer to the fall release dates for all these goodies!
Nice one Chris! Another enjoyable and informative read.
I think that this “big announcement” is linked to something which we already know about. We know that it’s linked to Sony Pictures so it’s probably the Ghostbusters HD DVD, The Real Ghostbusters DVDs or the video game. On an outside bet, it could possibly be a new live action tv series.
Chris.. I believe the Bollywood Ghostbusters was canceled due to a lawsuit by Sony? Or at least I though I read that somewhere (a news article on the GBHQ boards or something).
Or perhaps I’m just delirious. It’s too late. haha
Well me and a few more of the Vancouver boys are going to be at SDCC in full gear for the big announcement. I hope it’s worth bringing the gear for. =/
Matt - the Columbia head in India made a threat of legal action in a magazine article. The movie is still on, as far as anyone knows. The story came from here on PC (and as often happens, migrates without referencing.)
Ryan - How many are there in your group? And how have you managed to hide them all this time?
It’s a pretty sure thing that the game will be on hand, and the Ecto with it, so if there’s a year to go in costume… But I will be getting more details on the event as we get closer. stay tuned.
i think someone will say that the big announcement is the Teaser Trailer for Gb3 wich isn’t the videogame.
oooohhh, nobody could be so mad!
Gene Wilder as a villain in the video game? Interesting choice, Gene has a distinctive unusual voice & as a bonus he was Dr Frankenstein, Willy Wonka & the Waco Kid!
Interesting…Interesting, VERY. Man, whose to know?
I mean, we get the inside scoops ( as much allowed ) on the site, so maybe we kinda know the BIG news, so to say… but then again, they wouldn’t unveil stuff to an audience that THRIVES on downloadable content, inside rumors, and pirated media, especially given theyve already caught it (here!)…so maybe there IS something truly substantial waiting in the wings…I can only hope.
“Fingers crossed. Maybe we should cross dicks too…” — Randal, Clerks 2
I´m anxious to know what´s that “big announcement” is… any of those products are welcome… I mean.. ALL OF THOSE.
This is our year, ghostheads, raise your glasses!
[...] from Proton Charging has outlined the state of new Ghostbusters projects and products headed our way this fall. With only 2 months [...]
I would really love to see some super-detailed action figures materialize. It does seem like something of a long-shot, but with all of the figures that have been released in the last few years aimed at adult collectors (some from much more obscure sources than GB, which is a very bankable property), I wouldn’t say it’s impossible.
I saw a customized Ray RGB figure on eBay repainted to movie specs, with accurate pads, ecto goggles, and a total movie-style re-do of the pack. It looked like a totally different figure, and really made me wish for an official release of GB figures from McFarlane Toys or someone like that.
With all of this stuff coming out, or possibly coming out, this year, what’s left for the 25th anniversary next year?
“With all of this stuff coming out, or possibly coming out, this year, what’s left for the 25th anniversary next year?”
Simple, more dvd sets. Hey, I wouldn’t put it beyond them to do such a thing.
Has anyone considered a new cartoon?
Castewar - there are 4 of us. How did I hide them? Well the 4 of us have something HUGE planned to show off this summer and one of the major pieces will be shown off at the zombie walk this year. You have my e-mail so if you want a heads up or a cell phone contact at the con, let me know.
Keep me apprised of the RGB DVD set! I am saving up.
Add the “Ghostbusters Manga” to the solid list. I was at the book expo at the LA convention center today and visited the Tokyopop booth. They confirmed that it will be a book telling the story between the end of Ghostbusters 2 and the new story in the video game!
[...] the folks at the TokyoPop booth - they confirmed to him the Ghostbusters book listed on Amazon (as mentioned here), and said that it will tell a story between Ghostbusters 2 and the upcoming video game (set two [...]
Thanks for clearing that up, Chris.. perhaps I did read it here. PC articles usually stand out, but with going to GBFans, GBHQ, and here on a daily basis.. well news articles get posted and as you pointed out references get lost..
I can’t say that remake is on the top of my “must-see” list (curiosity more than anything), having seen a few of the Bollywood remakes. I expect something beyond laughable.. but meh. You take what you can get, I suppose.
Chris - Single BEST article on the board all year. I wish you luck in topping this one.
Thanks for all the info, it’s a lot to handle at once, especially the part about Gene Wilder. Since I don’t hear back from you on e-mail much, let me just clarify that if you come to SDCC this year you’re welcomed to crash at my house and borrow a pack and a flightsuit. I’ve got more than a few to choose from.
Ryan - Glad to hear you’re got a group of 4 coming out. In case you ( and other attending ) aren’t aware, Thursday is the big Ghostbuster day at Con this year. I think we’re looking at about 30-50 Ghostheads from around the world showing up for what should be the largest GB gathering I’ve ever known. We’re having a group picture on Thursday at noon on the west-facing stairs of con, and then we have reservations for 50 at Joe’s Crab Shack just a bit beyond the base of those stairs. Keep it in mind in case you’d like to join us.
This may be a bit late to the party, but a thought occourd to me… (It happens from time to time.) What do you suppose the liklyhood that Dan, Harold, Bill, and Ernie will all be in attendance at comic con? Since they tend to bring the cast out for the movie panels and stuff, why would it be any different for a game?
Anyway, great article!
I didnt know half of that stuff was in the works or at least rumored.
I think it’s a given that Ernie will be there, as he’s been going all around the world to make himself available to his fans these past couple of years.
There’s a good chance Dan will be there, and a decent chance Harold will be there (though as a busy director, it’s hard to say what his schedule will be like.) Bill is the wild card - he doesn’t really do stuff like comic-con, but then he’ll show up at a university party in Scotland.
It all depends on the big announcement - depending on what it is, if it’s big enough, they’ll all be there, because the announcement will be in the big rooms, with a full panel, etc. But that’s if it’s a big announcement.