RIP Harold Ramis - Ghostbusters 3 Still On

[High Priest Mikhal]

Harold Ramis passed away back in February from vasculitis. His loss is a blow for those of us who are fans of his works besides Ghostbusters, but despite his passing Sony Pictures has said they'll continue production of Ghostbusters III. The original actors (Dan Akroyd, Harold Ramis, and Ernie Hudson, but not Bill Murray) were slated only for cameos as they pass on the role to a new generation, as mentioned as early as 2009 in the bonus videos of the Ghostbusters video game released that year. Akroyd had begun writing a script for the third movie as early as the 1990s, though only pieces were used in the '09 game.

With Harold Ramis' passing, the screenplay is being rewritten but Sony Pictures has announced plans to begin production as early as 2015. The one constant in the plot is that the original Ghostbusters are now too old to continue the work and so pass the franchise and proton packs to a new generation. The current plot, as discussed by Akroyd with Larry King in 2013, is that this new generation must fix problems arising from particle physics research being done in Columbia University that threatens our dimension of reality. As a student of particle physics himself, Akroyd is using very real science to explain how such a thing can happen in the classic sense of "playing with forces beyond human understanding."

Despite fake trailers on YouTube, no filming has begun, nor has the final cast been decided. Bill Murray, who had previously declined to make a cameo, has inferred that he may make one as a tribute to Ramis. Sigourney Weaver told sources that the character of her son, Oscar, will return as one of the new Ghostbusters. Two other characters, Anna and Jeremy, have been named as well. Further details remain mere rumors and speculation.

[Dark Angel]

As a fan and fellow Illinois native, Ramis's passing was shocking and sad. However, Bill Murray's recognition at the Oscars was as touching and humorous as Ramis deserved. If you missed the otherwise lackluster ceremony, here is the link of the clip on Youtube.