An Open Letter To Dan Aykroyd Regarding Ghostbusters 3

Dan Aykroyd recently gave an interview to Metro discussing the future of Ghostbusters 3, the sequel he’s been trying to make for years. Bill Murray is now out, although we’ve heard that before. Here at Pop Focal we’re growing more and more concerned and believe the following letter is necessary:

Mr. Aykroyd,

First, thank you offering your comedic and dramatic talents to various pieces of entertainment myself and others have enjoyed over the decades you’ve been in show business. I’m including such films as Nothing But Trouble, Spies Like Us and Dragnet because nobody is perfect and you nonetheless have a decent records.

My generation grew up watching you, Harold Ramis, Ernie Hudson and Bill Murray dawning the iconic jumpsuit and trapping ghosts. As a child I appreciated the films because of the sheer excitement of ghosts, lasers and monsters all set against the backdrop of my hometown. As an adult I learned to understand and appreciate the humor injected throughout the movie and gained a new perspective on it. Combine the ability to enjoy these movies as a kid and adult and you have what our generation considers to be “one of the greats”.

Now, I politely ask — please do not ruin this.

I’m not saying it can’t be done properly or that it wouldn’t be any good but the odds are against it. It’s far more likely that the feel of the original films will be tarnished by an attempt to revive a completed series. I beg you to rethink this idea.

Sure, this entire “will they / won’t they” game of a third movie has given you more exposure, press outlets want to interview you because of it, it would likely make money and it would give you a staring vehicle, even if it does “hand off” the franchise to a new team. While all these are great things for you it will probably ruin my childhood. You will destroy the fondness I have for the brand. Besides, didn’t we really say everything there was to say in the first two?

Way too much time has passed. The only thing to compare what your imagining of a Ghostbusters in today’s world would be is from Ghostbusters: The Video Game which was darker, weirder and included a lot of unnecessary gadgets. Sure, it’s a video game and it probably needed that but I’ve also read notes on the original Ghostbusters script which included laser swords, other dimensions and “SWAT-like suits”. Suffice to say — I don’t trust you with this.

Back in the ’80s there were people at the studio and Ivan Reitman to help ground the plot and I think they should enjoy much of the credit for creating the series as much as you. Columbia Pictures doesn’t even exist anymore and Ivan Reitman made Evolution (plus from everything I’ve heard, he wouldn’t be involved) so I hope you see where I’m coming from.

Please, Mr. Aykroyd, listen to Bill Murray and do not make Ghostbusters 3.

Sincerely,

The Generation That Enjoyed Ghostbusters