Columbia and Reitman fight over Ghostbusters 3

Columbia Pictures is not making it any easier for Ivan Reitman and company to really get going with pre-production on Ghostbusters 3. Granted, the company wants to really get this production underway as well, but they’d rather do it with not only a fresh young cast of Ghostbusters but a fresh young director. Ivan Reitman is attached to direct the third installment, which is expected since he did take the reigns on the first two in the series. Columbia does not want this though, and because Reitman has a pretty solid contract that creatively binds him to this property to a great degree with some power over crushing the entire production, this has turn into quite a pickle.

Another strange part has come to light, and that’s the involvement of the original Ghostbusters within the production of this movie, meaning whether or not they will be coming back for the third film. Strangely enough, according to Vulture, Reitman does not want them back and is still willing to direct this picture even though he’s also got directing entanglements with the romantic comedy Friends with Benefits.

One thing is for certain, and that is Vulture’s additional report that the script will be handed in this May. Gene Stupnitsky and Lee Eisenberg are writing away in order to make that deadline, but the real question is who will budge first in this little battle. Reitman can try to stay on the best that he can with Ghostbusters 3, but since Columbia and him don’t see eye to eye at the moment production could be halting for even longer. However, if Reitman decides to take the high road, despite his involvement he can still put the breaks on the entire production due to the terms of the contract that still binds him heavily to the property.

What do you think of this whole debacle? What do you think should happen? Share your thoughts on this dizzying subject.