droidguy1119 wrote:RichardLess wrote: ↑May 19th, 2020, 4:28 pm Harold was *extremely* involved in the development of Ghostbusters 3. When the movie was in it’s “Hellbent” era, he was going to direct and also wrote a draft of the script.
My recollection is that Harold talked about Dan's draft (I remember him commenting on it during press for The Ice Harvest) but I never saw a draft of the script that had Harold's name on it, only the one that Dan did. Not saying I'm right here, in this case I defer to the board. I never read any of the drafts of Ghostbusters 3, and the time when I entered the online Ghostbusters fandom was right around the time when Proton Charging had just published the story about how Dan's $150m draft was a no-go and Dan had decided to pack up and leave the Sony lot as a result.
My impression had always been that Dan was the one who was passionate about Ghostbusters 3, as the series was his baby more than anyone else's, and that Harold was certainly supportive but more personally driven by his solo directing career. I don't think he ever would've stood in the way of another Ghostbusters, nor would he have declined to help Dan, but I don't remember him doing a draft of Hellbent (I know he and Dan's writing credits on the game were basically honorary, and they didn't do much more than glance at it and give notes).
Short answer: Ramis
reportedly worked on an outline, treatment, and at least one draft and considered directing it.
Yes, we've only seen the cover of one draft of Hellbent with only Aykroyd's name on it. We haven't seen Ramis' name on the cover of a draft nor Tom Davis who Aykroyd also later credited for a Hellbent darft.
Long answer: In the August 1993 issue of Playboy, there was an interview with Dan Aykroyd on the set of "Coneheads" and a third Ghostbusters movie came up. Aykroyd replied, "The one I don't think we'll necessarily further exploit is Ghostbusters. It looks like that's about had its run" but then hinted, "If I could get that team together, it would be a real dream, because I think there's a great story to be told. But it won't be for a while."
Between February 7 to the 12, 1994, Dan Aykroyd appeared on WWOR Channel 9 News. When asked about doing another movie, he responded he had a story in mind he was thinking about but a factor was getting the others together again.
In 1996, Harold Ramis mentioned Aykroyd was writing a script with "a whole new, younger, and probably much more handsome team," and likened it to 'Ghostbusters: The Next Generation'.
On September 10, 1996, Aykroyd confirmed he finished the first draft, meeting with Sony, he spoke with Chris Farley about a part he is writing for him, and thinks Will Smith would make another great Ghostbuster.
On September 15, 1996, Aykroyd stated he was working on the second draft, Ramis was in negotiations to reprise Egon, Murray and Weaver passed, and a role was being written for Chris Farley.
On November 2, 1996, it was rumored Oscar, now an adult, would have a large role.
On April 15, 1997, it was reported Aykroyd and Ramis wrote an outline that included a new team. Aykroyd hinted he would love to see Chris Farley in it
On November 9, 1997, it was reported Aykroyd offered Murray a five minute walk in role but was refused so he started working on a draft without Peter.
On January 5, 1998, John Calley, then the head of Sony Pictures Entertainment, reportedly had a Ghostbusters sequel among his plans for the studio.
On January 19, 1998, it was reported the cast demanded more than 40 percent of Sony's receipts but everyone except Bill Murray all backed down to a more reasonable price and he wanted a cut of the gross not to star in the movie.
On February 10, 1998, Aykroyd commented he and Harold Ramis had a treatment but admitted Bill Murray and Ivan Reitman weren't interested.
On March 28, 1998, it was rumored Will Smith was in talks to star in the movie.
On April 14, 1998, it was reported the first draft was a "disaster," a new writer was brought in to work with Aykroyd and Ramis in late March, Murray was reconsidering, and it was unlikely Weaver would return.
On July 9, 1998, it was reported the plot concerned Egon and Ray's attempts to continue the business after Peter leaves with Dana, and that the main villain might be Hades, the Greek god of the underworld.
On August 14, 1998, it was reported Aykroyd and Ramis were working on a screenplay.
On September 1, 1998, it was rumored George Fenton would score.
On October 25, 1998, it was rumored Aykroyd spoke with Jason Alexander about a role as a Ghostbuster and he also has Jeff Daniels in mind.
On January 27, 1999, Ramis confirmed Aykroyd was writing a sequel, done two versions of it, but likened it more to a hobby. He speculated a new movie would have any original cast members "as mentors to a new, young cast."
On February 19, 1999, Ramis confirmed he talked to Aykroyd about it on a regular basis and the studio was interested but admitted Murray was very elusive and Reitman was "kind of standing on the side." He revealed the 'dream plan' was for him and Aykroyd to produce it while he would direct it and the story would be about the Ghostbusters recruiting a new team.
On February 24, 1999, it was reported in a Chicago radio show the day before, Ramis said they wouldn't do it without Murray and Murray "said that he would only do the movie if his character was killed off in the first two minutes of the movie. That way he could play a ghost in the remainder of the movie."
On March 10, 1999: A draft of Hellbent was done.
On June 18, 1999, in Entertainment Weekly, Reitman revealed Aykroyd went to his house 3 weeks ago to talk about the movie and the idea would Ramis directing it and Reitman producing.
On July 30, 1999, Reitman commented he would probably only produce the movie.
On November 12, 1999, Aykroyd commented the chances of the movie seemed slim and attributed it to Sony trying to make too many "bargains".
On May 9, 2000, in Jam! section of the Calgary Sun, Reitman commented he couldn't solve script problems and was uncertain about making deals with Sony and the cast.
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