Quantcast
Exclusive: Dan Aykroyd Ghostbusters Interview - SciFiNow

Exclusive: Dan Aykroyd Ghostbusters Interview

For several years now, there have been whispers of a new Ghostbusters movie but for franchise fans that can’t wait for another slice of ghoul-busting action there’s the new videogame from Sony, but we’ll let Ray Stantz, aka Dan Aykroyd, tell you the rest…

Dan Ackroyd

For several years now, there have been whispers of a new Ghostbusters movie – a new addition to complete what many consider a dream trilogy. But, as time passes, the highly anticipated third movie seems very unlikely. There is hope, however, for franchise fans that can’t wait for another slice of ghostbusting action and it comes in the form of a new videogame from Sony, but we’ll let Ray Stantz, aka Dan Aykroyd, tell you the rest…

How does it feel to come back to the Ghostbusters universe after all this time? Do people still ask you about making another Ghostbusters movie?
Well, practically and realistically, I’ve been telling people that it’s very doubtful that there’s going to be a third movie. But now that I’ve seen the videogame and watched it progress, my rap now to people is: “This is essentially the third movie.” And it’s better than the third movie because it lasts longer and there’s more development of the characters. The guys have done a great job putting story layers in there that I can begin to embellish and work with. And I tell people this: “If you have an appetite for the third movie, then the videogame is it.” And I really do believe that at this point from having seen what they’ve done there.

What was it that drew you into the game project initially?
Well, it was just the idea of having a game based upon the characters and the premise. And then when we started to see the first renderings of how they were going to do it, what excited me was the look directly references the first movie. It almost has a classic kind of feel to it, which really works in terms of an animated and computer-generated piece of entertainment.

Is it strange seeing a version of yourself from two decades ago running around in the game?
I like that because they were able to lose all of the weight I haven’t been able to in the videogame. I think it’s what people remember. It’s what people are watching today, that first and second movie. So it’s better that we hark back to those original characters than try to depict the way Harold and I look today or the way we are today.

You and Harold Ramis wrote the first two Ghostbusters scripts. We imagine it’s quite exciting to work with him on this new game script?
Yes, he’s by far my favourite collaborator. He’s very intelligent and, of course, does not believe in ghosts or the paranormal or supernatural in any way, shape or form. So it’s fun to work with him because he’s a complete sceptic. I am a believer and he is a sceptic so the two of us make a great team.

How did you decide on the 1991 time period and where do you think the characters are at this point?
It was obvious that if we were going with the premise that this was the third story it would have to advance in time somewhat. And I think the characters run a more successful business. It’s accepted as matter of fact in the world that this is a company that exists and you call when there’s trouble from the supernatural realm. These characters are now older, more experienced, perhaps a little more jaded, tougher, with maybe not as compassionate a view of the spirits that they used to have. You have to balance the extermination view with the compassion view so that will be a whole attitude that wasn’t there in the first two movies.