So, in a recent interview, Dan Aykroyd states that in GB3, Ray Stantz will basically be handicapped…
“Now [in Ghostbusters 3] my character’s eyesight is shot, I got a bad knee, a bad hip—I can’t drive that caddy anymore or lift that Psychotron Accelerator anymore, it’s too heavy. We need young legs, new minds—new Ghostbusters; so I’m in essence passing the torch to the new regime, and you know what? That’s totally okay with me.”
Does this mean that we won’t get to see Ray Stantz in ghostbusting action… at all??? Not even one scene? Watching Dan Aykroyd as Ray Stantz busting ghosts is one of my favorite cinematic pleasures. Hopefully GB3 will not deprive us of this.
What does everyone think - would this be a good or bad thing? (not that it would really affect the overall integrity of the film)
This is why I’d rather the movie never see the light of day. I don’t want to see the “real” ghostbusters portrayed as feeble old men while all the action goes to the new guys. I mean all ghostbusting really involves is shooting a gun, and packs can be made lighter. If Harrison Ford can do an Indy movie in his 60’s I don’t see any reason why Dan and the others can’t blast ghosts.
I don’t think I’d mind it too much, if the movie starts out with him screwing a bust up because of his various issues, and that leading to getting the new recruits. I can see that being a comedy goldmine. Maybe his failure is what possibly leads to Venkman becoming a ghost?
But they’d need to also make a final comeback finale at the end saving the new guys and rescuing Venkman, showing that regardless of age, they are still the heroes we all have loved over the years.
LOL! Garee you slay me! Well, since I was in HIGH SCHOOL when GB came out, let me tell you youngin’s that aging SUCKS. I have a slipped disc, so I can’t toss 35lb proton packs on anymore. That’s why I created “GBSI” movies where I’m a washed up GB who investigates stuff and gets involves in paranormal hijinx. These guys are TWENTY years older than me. Harrison Ford is a STUD who keeps in shape and probably uses stunt doubles and CGI now. This movie has been in Development HELL for years, but with movies like A-Team, MIB III is coming out, I don’t see why Sony won’t try and get one last egg out of the GB golden goose. They need to do it soon because the FAB 4 aren’t getting any younger (although Ernie is in great physical shape)
I don’t really mind what Aykroyd said about his character. It only makes sense. Now if GBIII came out in the 90’s I’d want the fab-four doing everything. Now it only makes sense for them to pass the torch if they do another movie. Otherwise the general (unhardcore) audience might take four pretty old guys doing stunts as laughable… and not the good kind of laugh.
What stunts did they really have to do in the other movies? Not to mention there’s such a thing as stunt doubles, and with CGI you can even replace their faces with the actors these days. If the original four aren’t alongside these new recruits busting with them I have no interest. I’d rather they just do that CGI movie that was being tossed around a while back than watch the original four take the back seat to a bunch of rookies. I didn’t like it in EGB, and I doubt I’d like it now.
^ I don’t think old men with “bad hips and knees” can carry a proton pack that is canon to be around 80 or so pounds. Nor do I think men their age can get tossed around like they did by Gozer and Vigo. When you’re a certain age you just can’t take a beating like that as well. It has nothing to do with getting stunt doubles, it’s about believing guys this age can do those things. These are suppose to be average guys, not superheros with super powers. Trust me, I’d much rather see a third film with the original ghosbusters too. But I think that pocket of time for that to happen has long passed. It’s a shame and I agree with you completely about EGB. EGB did so many thing wrong. Ivan Reitman has stated that he had no input on EGB and so on with Dan and Harold.
Yeah there’s some big shoes to fill with a new crew and I also don’t know if they can successfully do so. But until we see them attempt it in a canon film all we can do is argue about hopes and fears. Keep in mind unlike EGB, Ivan, Dan, Harold, and Bill have wieght on this project and weather or not it can move forward. They ALL have to like it in order for anything to happen (we all know this already). Dan also said there’s a lot of screen-time shared between new and old characters.
Now about the original guys being able to wield the equiptment. Yes, we can get into changing the protonpack by leaps and bounds but I know doing that would also also split opinions here greatly. Yes it’s been about 20 years since GB2 so there’s no question that there would be technology jumps. I’m fine with it to an extent as long as their equiptment still looks like it’s made in a garage. None of this sleek and sharp nonsense. The equiptment was part of the charm of the franchise.
Virtue makes many great points about this film, a lot of times I agree with his posts and I won’t stop now. I seriously believe the idea of three older gentlemen carrying around proton packs would do wonders to the body after awhile. Winston looks to be the only one who could bear that sort of weight for some time without tiring out so fast. Sad but true none the less. I was never into EGB much but once I started watching episodes of it I found myself utterly impressed with some of the stories they came up with. Like Egon finally coming to the conclusion that maybe he is alittle to old to be running around barking orders, kicking in doors and playing rambo when blasting now and asking the questions later method. I personally felt that as a person he grew and accepted his role as mentor and a leader for a new generation. Again I think this can be transferred to film given the right treatment of writing and acting. I know the torch passing is very cliche but really what else could you have them do? They can’t run around busting Ghosts constantly day to day like they did in their younger years. I also agree that having them suit up/gear up at the end to help the younglings defeat the problem would be an ideal way to end the series on a proper note. I’m not saying that it has to a EGB adaption from episode to movie, just that some of the ideas and plots could be used for the script. Just my few cents but I think this film can be done right and I think many of us will embrace it when it finally sees light
