Over the years Ghostbusters III has transformed from a sequel stuck in development hell to a reboot directed by Paul Feig, but for longtime fans who have wondered what the original sequel may have looked like prior to the death of Harold Ramis earlier this year, today is your lucky day. According to Bloody Disgusting, a draft of the original sequel penned by Office writers Gene Stupnitsky and Lee Eisenberg has leaked online. Its authenticity hasn’t been officially confirmed yet, but the script – labeled “Second Draft – 04/08/2009” – is definitely worth the look for Ghostbusters fans. Here’s an excerpt from Bloody Disgusting’s summary:
Years ago, when DR. RAY STANTZ and DR. EGON SPENGLER were the last vestiges of the original crew, Ghostbusters went public. Then an “incident” occurred during a bust that led them to destroy the Triborough Bridge. The collateral damage was tremendous, but they saved the city. Still, Ray and Egon were forced out of their positions by the board members of Ghostbusters, Inc., demoted to the lowly position of “freelance classifications.” Essentially what they do now is act as first responders when people call. They investigate the phenomenon and advise Todd how to proceed.The problem is Todd doesn’t want to listen to them. That slender man looking bastard from the prologue? This is the fourth or fifth time he’s been spotted and his attacks are getting progressively more aggressive. Egon has classified the being as a ‘Class-5 Cross-Dimensional Snatcher.’ But Todd won’t listen. And Ray is boiling over with resentment.Him and Egon work with OSCAR BARRETT, the son of DR. PETER VENKMAN and DANA BARRETT. She acted as a single mother while Venkman was off being elected as mayor of NYC. After the Triborough Bridge incident, he used an anti-Ghostbuster ballot to be reelected. Since then, he hasn’t spoken to his old friends. Resentment runs deep through the bulk of this script.
The script also features a surprise ending that would effectively end Harold Ramis, Bill Murray, and Dan Aykroyd’s Ghostbusters roles forever – in human form at least. Check out the full script for yourself here.
UPDATE: Bad news. Gene Stupnitsky confirmed on Twitter this week that the “leaked” script is, in fact, not authentic.
