Why the New Ghostbusters 3 Movie is Ignoring the All-Female Reboot
The question on many fans' minds is why the highly anticipated Ghostbusters 3 is not following the path of the previous all-female reboot. The answer, as many can attest, lies in the box office performance and the business realities of Hollywood.
Why Ghostbusters 2016 Flopped
Because it flopped. Ghostbusters 2016, despite its attempt to modernize the franchise with a compelling all-female cast, failed to resonate with audiences and ultimately did not turn a profit. Studios like Sony/Columbia Pictures, with their focus on profitability, swiftly realized that they were not in the business of squandering millions on non-profitable sequels.
The Business of Hollywood
When a franchise as widely beloved as Ghostbusters sees a reboot that fails to connect with fans and doesn't turn a profit, the lesson learned is clear: direct sequels are unlikely to succeed unless they adhere to the original formula. This failure can be categorized as a 'dead in the water' scenario, where a franchise's potential is severely diminished.
What Could Have Been
Reflecting on Ghostbusters 2016, had it been a direct sequel rather than a reboot, it could have added a richer layer of continuity to the beloved series. The 2016 reboot faced criticism for ignoring the original continuity, much like the Ghostbusters 3 is now. However, the inclusion of strong female leads was never the core issue—it was the choice to reboot the entire franchise instead of continuing the narrative that was problematic.
The Business and Artistic Choices
It is essential to understand the difference between a remake and a reboot. A remake, like Ghostbusters 2016, creates a new story and characters, essentially starting the franchise anew. In contrast, a reboot keeps the characters and storyline but ignores the recent sequels, often to refresh the franchise and attract a fresh audience or adapt it to modern sensibilities.
Horror Genre and its Remake Trends
The horror genre, particularly, has seen a surge in remakes and reboots. Films such as Halloween, The Evil Dead, Child's Play, and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre have all either completely ignored their remakes or gone back to the original timelines with original casts and characters. This trend in the horror genre reflects a broader industry-wide phenomenon of studios trying to capitalize on nostalgia while avoiding potential risks associated with direct sequels.
Understanding the Terminology
The terms remake and reboot are often confused due to their overlap, but they refer to distinct concepts in filmmaking. A remake involves creating new stories and characters in a different timeline, while a reboot keeps the original story and characters but disregards recent sequels, often to reset or refresh the franchise.
Why does this matter in the context of Ghostbusters 3? Simply put, it acknowledges that the revival of the Ghostbusters franchise is not just about following a specific casting vision but also about maintaining fan loyalty and ensuring that the series remains a successful and engaging part of popular culture.
The sad truth is that the success of Ghostbusters 3 depends on returning to the original timeline and embracing the essence of the original cast's chemistry and the beloved continuity of the series. In conclusion, Solid business decisions and understanding of franchise dynamics play a critical role in the success of any Hollywood sequel.
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