Despite eventually garnering solid reviews, the Ghostbusters remake had a troubled upbringing. Although the ridiculous controversy surrounding the films’ all-female cast took centre stage, the film ended up losing $70 million at the box office thanks to running up a $144 million production cost – excluding marketing.
Former Ghostbuster Dan Aykroyd places the blame solely at the feet of director Paul Feig. Speaking on Sunday Brunch, Aykroyd said:
“The girls are great in it. Kate McKinnon, Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig – what a wonderful, wonderful players they are – and Leslie Jones. I was really happy with the movie, but it cost too much. And Sony does not like to lose money. It made a lot of money around the world but just cost too much, making it economically not feasible to do another one.
So that’s too bad – the director, he spent too much on it. He didn’t shoot scenes we suggested to him and several scenes that were going to be needed and he said ‘nah, we don’t need them’. Then we tested the movie and they needed them and he had to go back. About $30 to $40 million in reshoots. So he will not be back on the Sony lot any time soon”.
Naturally, Aykroyd is invested in the series and is going to feel slighted at anyone who he feels hurt the potential of the film. While the remake made $229 million globally, the production costs meant it lost money, thus making a sequel unlikely and likely denying Sony a chance to create a huge, interconnected Ghostbusters universe.
There’s probably two sides to the story here, as the film was already rather expensive for a comedy anyway and there are likely multiple factors at work. One thing is for sure, the controversy and bad blood the Ghostbusters remake brought out in people, from the announcement to the trailer to the release of the film and beyond, looks set to continue.
Who knew a harmless comedy could cause so much friction?
#Peace.Love.Ghostbusters
