Exclusives
Columbia Pictures Contemplates Aziz Ansari for ‘Ghostbusters 3’
I’ve having a super crappy day so I’m sure this will get debunked in a matter of seconds, but sources close to the project have told me that Columbia Pictures is circling Aziz Ansari for the long, long, long gestured Ghostbusters 3.
To be extremely clear, this does not mean an offer was made or that talks have even begun, it just means that Columbia is internally discussing this possibility. I thought it was awesome, therefore I’m reporting it to you.
A lot of our colleagues have a very good relationship with the comedian, so I expect Ansari to either deny the story to one of them, or blast us on Twitter by this afternoon. It’ll be funny because it’s quite possible that he hasn’t even had a conversation with the studio yet. Either way, I’ve got my fingers crossed that this becomes “official” in the coming months because he’d be perfect for it.
Ivan Reitman will (eventually) direct, with Harold Ramis, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Rick Moranis and Sigourney Weaver supposedly confirmed for roles. Bill Murray is also rumored to be the holdup. “A ragtag group of paranormal researchers reopen their notorious ghost removal service, and a new generation of Ghostbusters is brought on board to be green slimed and trained to contain the mischievous spirits.” We previously reported that the new ‘Busters will be lead by Dana and Peter’s lovechild, Oscar.
Out today in select theaters and on digital platforms is heartfelt and playful documentary Mockbuster, which sees a director cold call a studio and ask to helm a lost-world dinosaur epic.
Inexplicably, they say yes.
Our exclusive clip below highlights both the comedic nature of this bizarre scenario as well as the pressures of shooting dino feature The Land That Time Forgot in a mere six days, with no real feature experience.
A dino attack scene causes friction on set in this scene.
In the documentary, “A struggling filmmaker’s opportunity collides with chaos and compromise when Sharknado’s notorious studio, The Asylum, invites him to direct a ‘mockbuster.’ With six days, a micro budget, and mounting pressure, Mockbuster is a comedic, behind-the-scenes documentary exploring the balance between low-budget filmmaking and creative ambition.”
More than just an inside look at filmmaking via low-budget film studio The Asylum, it doubles as one man’s pursuit of his dreams to charming, humorous effect.
“Mockbuster is a documentary about my own journey, but it’s also a love letter to one of the last grindhouses still functioning in Hollywood. We get to meet the characters and creators of some of the most infamous (and most hated) B-movies of the last few decades. People who make movies purely for profit – no pretension, no artistry, just monsters, C-listers, and chaos. A film that both genre fans and cinephiles can enjoy. But Mockbuster isn’t just about filmmaking, it’s about losing sight of your dreams, and reclaiming them in your own twisted way,” Director Anthony Frith said in a statement.
From Executive Producer and famed documentarian David Farrier, Mockbuster opens in select theaters and on digital platforms beginning July 10.