Ghostbusters 3 script leak reveals what could have been

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

For years we heard rumors of a GHOSTBUSTERS sequel, then a remake, then a reboot, and finally we have whatever the hell it is that Paul Feig will be doing with the franchise now that Sony has handed over the reins to him (the 'female-centric' GHOSTBUSTERS flick), but you may remember that back in 2008 it was confirmed that Gene Stupnitsky and Lee Eisenberg (of NBC’s “The Office” fame) had been hired to pen the script for GHOSTBUSTERS 3, which would've seen the original 'Busters tossing on the proton packs to once again save New York and the world. Now the script has been leaked, giving us details on 'what could have been'…and it could have been awesome, from the sound of it!

Our brothers-in-blood over at Bloody Disgusting posted some of the details from the leaked script, and we're sharing them with you below.

The film would’ve began with the revelation that the “Ghostbusters” company has become a mega-corp, run by a slimeball named ‘Todd’, and that Ray (Dan Aykroyd) and Egon (Harold Ramis) are still employed by the company, but only in junior positions. Also working for the company is original Ghostbuster Winston Zeddemore (Ernie Hudson) and Dana Barrett’s (Sigourney Weaver) son, Oscar. And where is Peter Venkman (Bill Murray)? Well, he is now the Mayor of New York City, and apparently won the ballot by running on an anti-Ghostbusters platform. What could bring the team back together? A new baddie revealed as Wolfram Von Grauen, who was head architect at the Chicago's World Fair of 1893.  The man sacrificed hundreds of people during his life before being commited to an aslyum, but is back to engage the city with some supernatural shenanigans. 

The old Ghostbusters crew finds themselves getting back together to take on the ghostly menace, culminating in a giant battle with a spirit Von Grauen conjures from the sea that is described as being Cthulu-esque (which would have been AWESOME to see onscreen!). To defeat the threat, the Ghostbusters must cross streams once again, but this time (oh no!) saving the city and the world costs them their lives. In the film's coda we find the Ghostbusters playing cards in their ghost form at the station.

It's a great read and could have made for one hell of a fun GHOSTBUSTERS film. It's a shame it didn't happen, especially when you consider where the GHOSTBUSTERS franchise is heading now. I would have loved to have seen the old Ghostbusters crew team up for one more go-around.

Hit us with your thoughts on GHOSTBUSTERS 3, and the future of the franchise, below.