Movies
‘Ghostbusters’ Will Be “Really Scary” Origin Story, Feature New Technology!
It’s been a Ghostbusters bonanza as of late as Columbia Pictures appears to have officially set sail on an all-female reboot with The Heat directing writing duo, Paul Feig and Katie Dippold, respectively.
We learned in yesterday’s report that Feig’s plans (see below) for the reboot would to no longer connect it with the earlier movies but now launch a new series. Now, Feig tells EW that he plans on making Ghostbusters super scary.
“Both [screenwriter Katie Dippold] and I are obsessed with how do we make comedy really scary? The sequel to ‘The Heat’ was going to be pretty scary and funny. Almost like in a ‘Silence of the Lambs’ type thing but funny. I think funny people in peril and in danger is one of the best forms of comedy, and I really like things to play very real while funny things are happening. So that’s what both Katie and I really want to do with this one is make it crazy funny but also you’re scared at the same time.”
I don’t exactly get his reference, but I do appreciate that he’s not going to goof on the franchise. I want Feig and Dippold to take the new film seriously. I love a scary movie that’s also a good time (see Drag Me To Hell) – I think the original Ghostbusters is a bit spooky, even though it’s also pretty funny.
They also revealed it to be an origin story (what’s with Sony and origin stories?) that will feature all sorts of new technology.
“I love origin stories. That’s my favorite thing. I love the first one so much I don’t want to do anything to ruin the memory of that. So it just felt like, let’s just restart it because then we can have new dynamics. I want the technology to be even cooler. I want it to be really scary, and I want it to happen in our world today that hasn’t gone through it so it’s like, oh my God what’s going on?”
Again, he keeps saying the right things. Keeping it grounded in reality is going to be key to the film’s success among the audience. Still, his body of work isn’t comforting as neigh The Heat or Bridemaids felt real to me. At least they’re fun…
So, with all of that said, will we or will we not see the original Busters – Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson – in the new movie? Feig says it’s possible.
“Well, I mean, look, those are my comedy heroes. So as far as I’m concerned, anybody wants to come back I welcome with open arms. It would just be in different roles now, but it would be fun to figure out how to do that.”
This was a lengthy interview where Feig says a lot of good things – and none of it sounds like pandering to Ghostbusters fans. He clearly gets what makes a horror comedy work, and is going to swing for the fences, the only question is whether or not he’s the right guy to pull it off…

Movies
Steven Spielberg to Produce ‘The Mandela Catalogue’ Movie Based on Viral YouTube Series
Hollywood is serious about landing the next Backrooms. Hot on the heels of a Siren Head feature announcement, Deadline reports that a new movie based on viral YouTube series The Mandela Catalogue is in development.
It also has some Hollywood heavy hitters behind it.
Amblin Entertainment’s Steven Spielberg, United Artists’ Scott Stuber (Frankenstein), and Amazon MGM Studios are set to produce, emerging victorious after a highly competitive 11-studio bidding war.
Launched in 2021, the YouTube series is set in the fictional Mandela County, Wisconsin which is “invaded by shape-shifting, nearly immortal creatures called Alternates. The Alternates are led by a false depiction of the Archangel Gabriel and their aim is to wipe out the human race by psychologically torturing them to the point of suicide. The Alternates are known for manipulating AV media, TVs, computers and GPS systems.”
The movie will be directed by the series’ creator, Alex Kister, based on a screenplay he adapted with Tyler Clifton.
The Mandela Catalogue has racked up an impressive 100 million views across its official episodes alone, solidifying it as one of the largest original analog horror franchises on YouTube.
Spielberg and Holly Bario are producing for Amblin Entertainment alongside Aaron B. Koontz for Paper Street Pictures and Stuber and Nick Nesbitt for United Artists. Kister and Clifton are also producing. Annie McCreery will oversee the project for United Artists. Maria Fortese will oversee for Amblin.
Get acquainted with The Mangela Catalogue below while we wait to learn more.

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