- January 2nd, 2020, 9:14 pm#4929694Hmm, I'm not sure the exact reason was but it seemed like it definitely happened once Ramis started working on drafts with Aykroyd. On the June 15, 1989 episode of "Later with Bob Costas," Harold Ramis revealed one of the discarded ideas they had during the brainstorming process had the sequel picking up literally from the end of the first movie. I suspect the reason for the disbandment and restraining order was Ramis or Reitman bringing in an element to ground (basically a small business gets stepped on by "the man" is something us plebians can rally around) the story similar to how Aykroyd's initial script was so out there and fantastical that Reitman pitched the origin story hook to ground it. In what little we know about Aykroyd's initial GB2 script "The Seed," it was also rather fantastical -fairies living under Scotland.
For reference:
I recall by the August 5, 1988 Draft, you can see the evolution of this grounding element.
*They were disbanded like in the movie and Peter remarked on page 10 they "ran into trouble a couple years back."
*On page 20, Egon initially refused to do any ghostbusting.
*On page 21, Ray goes on to reveal he lost everything from the fines and lawsuits levied on the Ghostbusters and the bookstore is all he has. Ray also explains the terms of the restraining order placed on them which we learn about in the trial scene.
*On page 42-43, they get into a little more that they regretted they got too big too fast, were slightly undermanned and underequipped, assumed way too much responsibility for saving the world, and didn't have a limited liability clause in place. Peter proposes they keep Ghostbusters small, take it slow, and play it safe with taking on only residential hauntings and personal possessions. Strictly limited liability is emphasized.
*On page 84, once the big threat is out there, the Mayor offers to indemnify and insure the Ghostbusters against any and all damage claims resulting from anything done while in the employ of the city. The Ghostbusters agree and hold a meeting with all city department and agency heads and major business and community leaders.