New ‘Ghostbusters’ Inspired by ‘Walking Dead’ Scares
While the original Ghostbusters is considered a modern comedy classic, given its paranormal subject, the movie’s actual scares leave a lot to be desired. However, Paul Feig, the director of the Ghostbusters all-female reboot, promises to create a blockbuster that is both genuinely funny and scary. And for the horror elements, the Bridesmaids filmmaker is finding inspiration in another successful franchise: The Walking Dead.
“I will say, I was very inspired by this show,” Feig told the zombie hit’s post-show chat Talking Dead (via The Guardian). “What I love is how they play with the danger, they play with the scariness, but also the idea that it’s always about [a] gauntlet run. And that’s an element I want to bring to this Ghostbusters reboot: having to get through these various obstacles that are supernatural and all that. I really feed off of The Walking Dead.”
However, despite the box office success of R-rated comedies like Bridesmaids, 21 Jump Street and The Hangover series, Feig will still guide the reboot toward a PG-13 rating in order to maximize its audience. “The Ghostbusters world doesn’t need that level of swearing,” Feig told Empire. “We’ll have to be PG-13 with this one. I would like to make it R-rated, but I won’t. You want the biggest number of people to watch it and not be put off by it.”
Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy and Saturday Night Live‘s Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones will all sport the proton packs when the reboot arrives July 22, 2016. Original Ghostbuster Dan Aykroyd has expressed interest in returning to the franchise with a “conventional third sequel,” even though Harold Ramis passed away and Bill Murray has no desire to make another Ghostbusters.