These are the facts as they are known: Sony wants to make Ghostbusters III (or maybe Ghostbusters 2.0, since the long-discussed sequel is now being reconfigured as a reboot); Ivan Reitman, who made the first two Ghostbusters, was signed to direct the third as well, but earlier this week he stepped down from that role, and Sony began looking for his replacement. The search is just a few hours old, but according to Nikki Finke on Twitter, the next Ghostbusters directors may have already been found:
“Hot duo to direct #Ghostbusters3? My sources say Phil Lord & Chris Miller (Lego Movie, 21 Jump St) in talks to replace Ivan Reitman.”
After the back-to-back-to-back success of Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs, 21 Jump Street, and The Lego Movie, Lord and Miller are the hottest comedy directors in Hollywood. They’ve also proven themselves capable of revitalizing and updating objects of nostalgic ’80s kitsch, and effectively blending action and comedy. In other words, they’re the perfect guys to do something like this, especially if they can convince some of their actors from their previous projects—like Bill Hader, Chris Pratt, and Jonah Hill, for example—to play Ghostbusters. They might be too perfect, though—and too big. At this point, coming off three (and possibly four, after this summer’s 22 Jump Street) hits in a row, these guys could do almost anything they want in Hollywood. Why take a thankless job that will be held to more scrutiny and nitpicking than just about any movie in history outside of Star Wars: Episode VII (other than the millions of dollars they’ll pay you to make it)?
Expectations are going to be huge, and fans are going to be holding the film to an impossible standard. Lord and Miller would have a much easier road if they found a different project to develop next. Then again, these guys clearly enjoy challenges; turning 21 Jump Street from retro punchline to hip action-flick wasn’t easy, and neither was making a Lego Movie that didn’t just feel like a two-hour toy commercial. Perhaps this is their next cinematic Everest to climb.