One of the biggest movie franchises in history, the Ghostbusters brand has taken over just about every medium and merchandising concept, from films to comic books to video games to clothing, etc. But in all of the Ghostbusters mania of the past 33 years, a live-action TV show somehow still hasn't happened...yet. At an event promoting the new Ghostbusters and Stranger Things partnership with Reebok, CinemaBlend's Conner Schwerdtfeger spoke with co-creator Dan Aykroyd and asked if there was any interest in a live-action series, perhaps at Stranger Things' own home at Netflix. According to Aykroyd:
Yes. Absolutely. Sure. Sure. I can see several possibilities there. You know? Take a cue from these guys in Stranger Things and maybe have the Ghostbusters in high school or something.
In much the same way that the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man appeared in the Ghostbusters' world after Ray thought about it, I wish that a live-action Ghostbusters TV show would snap into existence after the concept popped up in Dan Aykroyd's brain. Alas, that's not how Hollywood or anything in real life works, but the fact that the comedy icon is down for it is reason to cheer from the top of a firehouse.
Sadly, it's impossible for the original Ghostbusters foursome to reprise their roles for any live-action TV shows -- Harold Ramis is still very much missed around these parts -- but there would be something quite interesting about seeing some of these characters back at earlier points in their lives, especially if it wasn't morphed into a modern-day story. I imagine that Ray Stantz and Egon Spengler would have been extremely unique high school teens in the late 1960s/early 1970s, and the right actors could take it over the top. For what it's worth, I would still try and cast Bill Murray to play a 16-year-old Peter Venkman, because naturally.
Of course, it will take more than just Ghost Corps co-founder Dan Aykroyd liking the idea to actually spin a live-action Ghostbusters show into a real thing that fans can sit down and watch while laughing hysterically, but I'm going to place my bets and hopes on it happening before dogs and cats are living together. The franchise has already had two multi-season animated TV shows in its history, with the beyond excellent The Real Ghostbusters and its quality spinoff-sequel Extreme Ghostbusters. And there were also plans to develop a third animated series, Ghostbusters: Ecto Force, but those got pushed back once it was announced that a new animated feature film was being put together. So while that's happening, a live-action project can easily come together on the side, right? We're crossing our ectoplasmic fingers.
Horror fans are indeed getting a taste of Ghostbusters in live-action, as the hit Netflix series Stranger Things was given permission to use the film's merch in the monster-filled Season 2. (The very first shot we got of this season was the four boys donning the instantly recognizable Ghostbusters costumes.) In fact, the two projects partnered with Reebok to release the limited edition Exo-Fit High Cleans, with exclusive designs drawn from the original Ghostbusters film. The shoes will first be released exclusively and globally through BAIT in this final week of October, with a bigger rollout to other retailers happening after.
While you're dreaming about cooler sneakers and live-action Ghostbusters TV shows, don't forget to check out Stranger Things Season 2 premiering on Netflix on Friday, October 27, at 12:01 a.m. And hit up our fall TV premiere schedule to see what else is hitting the small screen soon.
