The New Ghostbusters - Part 8

[jmc]

I am almost convinced in the wake of that Fall Out Boy cover Sony are just trolling people now. This has to be the only film I've ever seen that comes across like it wants to intentionally piss people off.

 

[flickchick85]

I think Melissa McCarthy has hurt her stock with a lot of the public with her willingness to do pretty much everything. I don't blame her for getting that paper, and I find her very funny a lot of the time, but I think it has hurt the public perception.

Yeah, it doesn't help that she keeps agreeing to be in films directed by her husband, either. The two she's done with him have been her worst duds to date.

 

[Leenie]

Melissa McCarthy's appeal is running very thin for me right now. If it weren't for Spy, she'd be one of those actresses where if I saw her in a preview, then I would see it as a red flag and avoid the movie.

 

[Fincher]

That song's pretty bad, but eh.

 

[AllEights]

I actually like Fall Out Boy, well their older stuff, the newer stuff is just samples, drum machine, processed pop over distorted guitars. This cover wasn't the worst thing ever but certainly not particularly good or necessary - which is representative of the new movie. Corporate synergy folks!

Hey bluejake - did you see the newest trailer? The other day when we went to see Finding Dory they showed a new trailer which looked like new footage of the team testing out their tools in the an alley. Neither myself nor the person I was with at the screening remembered this scene.

 

[Kanon]

An article not downplaying the problems of the movie. An unusual occurrence...

The ‘Ghostbusters’ Franchise is in Serious Trouble

There’s such a weird ongoing debate when it comes to making a huge studio movie. We beg for originality, uniqueness, and creative freedom for the filmmakers, but the masses fail to show up the majority of the time, which cause the Hollywood brass to revert back to their old ways of being “safe”.

Yes, Columbia Pictures’ Ghostbusters is a reboot (“safe”), but they gave director Paul Feig creative freedom (“dangerous”). I’m sure the thought behind the studio executives was that the brand was bigger than any decisions the filmmakers would have, but I’m not quite sure they expected the (ridiculous) backlash at an all-female Ghostbusters troupe.

In theaters July 15, Ghostbusters follows a paranormal researcher (Melissa McCarthy), a physicist (Kristen Wiig), a nuclear engineer (Kate McKinnon) and a subway worker (Leslie Jones) who attempt to rid New York of ghosts that can possess humans.

It’s unclear from where we stand if the brunt of negativity stems from the fact that Feig cast the aforementioned comic actors, or because the trailers pretty much suck (according to the consensus).

Whatever the case, the negative public perception is winning, and the franchise is in serious trouble.

Sony’s Ghostbusters popped up on tracking Thursday, according to THR, with early estimates suggesting a North American debut in the $40 million to $50 million range over the July 15-17 weekend. The studio, which has yet to wage its biggest and final marketing push, is no doubt hoping for the higher end, considering the movie cost a hefty $154 million to make.

Yes, Ghostbusters cost $150 million, and with a $50 million opening the domestic life of the film can be guesstimated at $100 million, well below the budget. And this doesn’t include marketing costs (it also doesn’t include international numbers) or the fact that the studios only get half the box office take (ouch).

Females over the age of 25 are by far the most interested in seeing the new Ghostbusters, according to those with access to prerelease tracking. However, Sony has three weeks left to whip up additional interest among males and younger females, adds the site.

But this isn’t a good sign, considering Sony already has made a massive push towards male viewers. Basketball fans will recall the heavy marketing campaign during the NBA Playoffs and Finals in which Carmelo Anthony and other New York Knick legends strapped on Proton Packs for a ghost hunt, as did the Lakers’ Kobe Bryant. These campaigns had zero women in them and clearly were catering to men (it’s called marketing and I have no quarrel with it).

In an interview with THR, Sony movie studio chief Tom Rothman went even further, saying the controversy is “the greatest thing that ever happened.” He added, “Are you kidding me? We’re in the national debate, thank you. Can we please get some more haters to say stupid things?”

Yes, having a national debate is a good thing, especially if it brings to attention some of the social issues we have in this country, but I think Sony’s Ghostbusters is proving that not all negative press is good press. And this is really, really bad for those of us who had hopes of seeing the expanded universe that was originally in play. A box office bomb likely kills this franchise once and for all. No more Ecto Cooler, no more theme park attractions, toys, movies or video games – at least until remakes become popular again in 2026….

http://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3396280/ghostbusters-franchise-serious-trouble/

 

[Lencho01]

How big is Ghostbusters anyway that people actually wanted a sequel to it all these years?

 

[Lily Adler]

This is one of life's mysteries in how an 80's action comedy flick has a fandom that supposedly rivals SW and LOTR in anger and hostility.

 

[TheVileOne]

McCarthy has been wearing thin for me since Identity Theft. I did really like The Heat.

 

[Kanon]

This is one of life's mysteries in how an 80's action comedy flick has a fandom that supposedly rivals SW and LOTR in anger and hostility.

Well, it is not as beloved, but it's very familiar to everyone, and like with family, you might not show your love often, or visit, or pay any attention. But when someone else mess with family, we stand for them

 

[Lily Adler]

Are you calling GB fans mobsters!?!

 

[Captain Bryan]

At this point I think Murray really doesn't give a **** about anything.

He cares about the St. Paul Saints.

 

[Kanon]

Are you calling GB fans mobsters!?!

Don't ask me about my business

 

[GuestStar2004]

How big is Ghostbusters anyway that people actually wanted a sequel to it all these years?

Big enough.

 

[def28]

How big is Ghostbusters anyway that people actually wanted a sequel to it all these years?

Ghostbusters is pretty high up there as far as major Fantasy and Sci Fi films. Trailing only Indiana, Batman, ET and Star Wars in the 80s, the adjusted numbers of the first film are equivalent to Avenger 1 numbers.

It was one of the first along with Star Wars to create a huge fandom and go insane with merchandising/pop culture impact.

 

[terry78]

Hollywood knows there are a lot of nostalgic 80s kids out there as well as 30 and under hipsters into that whole scene.

 

[def28]

Excluding Indy and Star Wars which have continuations, I think the only other property this would be comparable to remaking would be Back To The Future. The backlash on making changes with that film would be just as severe if not worse down to the soundtrack.

 

[Lencho01]

Big enough.

Ghostbusters is pretty high up there. Even compared to other major Fantasy and Sci Fi films. Trailing only Indiana, Batman, ET and Star Wars in the 80s, the adjusted numbers of the first film are equivalent to Avenger 1 numbers.

It was one of the first along with Star Wars to create a huge fandom and go insane with merchandising/pop culture impact.

I only ask because I'm not really a fan of it. I mean, the song is very catchy, the logo is pretty great, there's Slimer, and Hi-C. But, the films are "before my time" in that I wasn't born in the perfect time and place to have enjoyed it like other things. I barely remember their plots. The only thing I really remember about anything with the franchise as far as viewing something, is the Extreme Ghostbusters toon. It hasn't really been constant like say TMNT or Transformers as a franchise to me. So, I was just wondering if nostalgia and a perception of being a "cult classic" allowed this film to be made.

 

[terry78]

Amblin still has the rights I assume, but could you envision them doing one where we get them travleling back to when Doc Brown was Marty's age or something? ****, I just gave someone the idea. They be trolling this site.

 

[def28]

Amblin still has the rights I assume, but could you envision them doing one where we get them travleling back to when Doc Brown was Marty's age or something? ****, I just gave someone the idea. They be trolling this site.

Haha Zemeckis said he won't allow a remake luckily. I'm sure there's been a ton of studio execs trying to convince him otherwise. At this point it's almost the only one left from the 80's with this huge level of fandom.

I only ask because I'm not really a fan of it. I mean, the song is very catchy, the logo is pretty great, there's Slimer, and Hi-C. But, the films are "before my time" in that I wasn't born in the perfect time and place to have enjoyed it like other things. I barely remember their plots. The only thing I really remember about anything with the franchise as far as viewing something, is the Extreme Ghostbusters toon. It hasn't really been constant like say TMNT or Transformers as a franchise to me. So, I was just wondering if nostalgia and a perception of being a "cult classic" allowed this film to be made.

Well Extreme Ghostsbuters was still like 15 years after the first film. Then there was that game that came about 5 years ago with the original cast that did real well. It was just a really big film well received (holds a 97% RT) film for it's time and still lasts through comics and video games. It's far too big to be considered a cult classic like say Evil Dead 2 or something like that. This was one of the first mainstream pop culture flicks that broke out.

It's a very recognizable franchise one way or the other. Pretty much everyone in their 20-60s grew up with it at some point. Something like TMNT could never touch the box office power the original had.

 

[Lencho01]

Haha Zemckis said he won't allow it luckily.

Well Extreme Ghostsbuters was still like 15 years after the first film. Then there was that game that came about 5 years ago with the original cast that did real well. It was just a really big film for it's time and still lasts through comics and video games. It's far too big to be considered a cult classic like say Evil Dead 2 or something like that. This was one of the first mainstream pop culture flicks that broke out.

Pretty much everyone in their 20-60s grew up with it at some point. Something like TMNT could never touch the box office power the original had.

Well, I mean in the sense that it isn't super constant like other franchises (like always a new show and toys to keep it alive) that it's understandable to me that people wanted another film outside of nostalgia. And I guess that nostalgia (and other reasons) convinced studios to go ahead with another one. But, then there's all this negativity and veiled sexism the new film has to deal with.

For those who wanted another film, was it that you wanted a new team with the older on as mentors or did you want the mentors back like say the recent Indiana Jones film?

 

[def28]

I know people who have not even seen the original Star Wars, there's always exceptions even with the most popular of films.

With GB 3 I think a passing of the torch was the most popular route with fans. But if they got the aesthetic, humor and tone right here I think people would be looking forward to this one alot more after they got over the fact the original is gone for good. Instead this has been just one bad piece of marketing after another.

This film won't flop because of the internet trolls. It will flop because of it's marketing and reception if received poorly.

 

[Kanon]

For those who wanted another film, was it that you wanted a new team with the older on as mentors or did you want the mentors back like say the recent Indiana Jones film?

Mentors and a new team would have been ok, given all the time that passed from the original films (prior to 2000 I would have wanted the original team). Also, what was important was all the ideas that Aykroyd was throwing around, seemed like a lot of fun.

 

[Serpico Jones]

I still can't believe Tom Rothman actually decided to move forward with this movie.

 

[Lencho01]

I know people who have not even seen the original Star Wars, so there's always exceptions even with the most popular of films.

With GB 3 I think a passing of the torch was the most popular route with fans. But if they got the aesthetic, humor and tone right here I think people would be looking forward to this one alot more after they got over the fact the original is gone for good. Instead this has been just one bad piece of marketing after another.

This film won't flop because of the internet trolls. It will flop because of it's marketing and reception if received poorly.

That's true. But, maybe it's just that I don't care much for Ghostbusters, so I don't really notice it's popularity outside of certain surface level stuff the same way I notice other franchises.

I do remember people wanting the Rogen and Apatow dudes (when they could do no wrong), I think.

My interest in the film as far as just simply reading and watching stuff about it mostly comes from the negativity it gets. If not for the title, this would have been something I wouldn't think much about. I mean, it looks bad, but not that bad to me. At least not to the levels people seem to be offended by it. And again, the veiled sexism.