In advance of Paul Feig‘s upcoming live-action reboot, Sony is expanding its planned “Ghostbusters” universe by putting an animated “Ghostbusters” movie into development at Sony Pictures Animation, TheWrap has learned.
A Sony representative denied that it was developing such a project as recently as two weeks ago, but studio insiders now confirm that an animated film is currently in the works.
The studio will soon begin hearing takes from writers, and insiders suggest that the story will be told from a ghost’s point of view.
Like the animated TV show “The Real Ghostbusters” that ran on ABC from September 1986 to October 1991, the animated “Ghostbusters” movie will feature a group of scientists who team up to battle supernatural forces. The story won’t necessarily take place in Manhattan, as supernatural activity is not limited to a single borough in New York City.
Ivan Reitman will produce the animated “Ghostbusters” movie for Ghost Corps, while SPA president Kristine Belson and Michael Lachance will oversee the project on behalf of the studio.
It makes sense that Sony is developing an animated “Ghostbusters” movie, as it’s also developing an animated “Spider-Man” movie with Philip Lord and Christopher Miller, who previously worked with the studio on “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs.” Sony is also developing another live-action “Ghostbusters” movie with the Russo brothers, though it won’t be related to Feig’s film.
Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones star in the live-action “Ghostbusters,” which Sony will release on July 15, 2016.