Dan Aykroyd has written a Ghostbusters prequel set in the ’60s

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

Of course he has. While on a vodka promotional tour, Dan Aykroyd spoke with the Canadian Press about all things GHOSTBUSTERS, including Jason Reitman's upcoming film as well as several other GHOSTBUSTERS-related projects he has in the works. One of those projects is a 1960s-era prequel which would look at the teenage years of parapsychologists Peter Venkman, Egon Spengler, and Ray Stantz. Aykroyd says that he's given the script to Reitman.

I’ve written “Ghostbusters High,” where they meet in New Jersey in 1969 and we’re looking to do that as probably a glorified feature or pilot within the next maybe five years…. And it would lead to a television project and I thought of him immediately for that. It’s on his desk but that’s years away from the current project. But it’s a neat idea for a prequel. Imagine casting the three characters as teenagers!

Even if the prequel does happen, it's still quite a ways down the line. "We have other stuff after the Jason Reitman-helmed movie," Aykroyd added. "We have at least one or two other concepts for the 'Ghostbusters' and then we’ll look at doing the prequel, which will be a perfect button on all we’ve done up to that point." Speaking of the Jason Reitman film, which is slated to star Mckenna Grace (CAPTAIN MARVEL), Finn Wolfhard (Stranger Things), and Carrie Coon (The Leftovers), Aykroyd says that it will be a a much more low-budget affair compared to the recent Paul Feig reboot. "Now we’re going to do it in a sensible way. Costs will be under control and it’ll be brought in for a sensible budget without waste and that’s what’s important now in getting it made," Aykroyd said, adding that we might also see a return to practical effects whenever possible. "I’m always urging to use puppets. I’m always urging to go back to the mechanicals. But CGI is so efficient and easy to use but I think that all of us are on board with the idea of maybe doing mechanicals and puppets where we can."

Dan Aykroyd teased that the script is beautiful and will hopefully feature some familiar faces (Bill Murray has said he's up for it), but added that it's quite different from the films which came before it. "It’s so different from even the first and second (film)," Aykroyd said. "This just takes it to a new generation and a new direction that is so warm, heartfelt and indeed, quite scary when you confront some of the issues that are being discussed."

The new GHOSTBUSTERS film is slated for a July 10, 2020 release.