Ivan Reitman Elaborates on Why He Won’t Direct ‘Ghostbusters 3’

We learned back in March that the folks trying to make Ghostbusters 3, a film that's been in the works for decades, hope to begin filming in 2015, despite the fact that Harold Ramis (Egon Spangler) has passed away and Bill Murray (Peter Vankman) simply has no interest. We also learned, not coincidentally, that it will basically be a kind of reboot, and that Ivan Reitman, who directed the first two instalments of the franchise, would not be returning for numero tres.

At that time, Reitman said the passing of Ramis was a major factor in his decision. Now, however, in an interview with SuperHeroHype, he's elaborated on his thought process, and it turns out that it's not just because his longtime collaborator is gone.

I suddenly felt that Ghostbusters didn't necessarily need me as a director, at least I didn't need to direct Ghostbusters, let me put it that way... I thought it was better for me just to produce it and to make sure we're going to have the quality and style of what is appropriate for another version of that film. But the franchise could benefit from somebody else's point of view. I've done it twice before and it will be great to get somebody else to lend a hand as well.

Reitman hasn't directed a hit movie in a long time, but he's still a successful producer and a very smart guy. So he understands that the franchise would actually be better off getting a completely fresh start with a more relevant director, just like Star Wars is better off with J.J. Abrams over George Lucas. And the latest directing rumor, in case you were wondering, has him looking at Paul Feig (Bridesmaids).

Stay tuned.

[via Screen Rant]