Max Landis Is Not Writing Ghostbusters 3

Late last night, Nikki Finke (formerly of Deadline) reported that Chronicle scribe Max Landis was set to work on a draft of Ghostbusters 3. In her report, she claimed that Landis wouldn’t be penning a new version of the script so much as polishing up an existing one. Unfortunately, tweets from Landis have poured some cold water on that report – though the screenwriter claims that he would love to work on it if given the chance.

So that you can follow this story from the beginning, here’s what Finke wrote:

I’ve just heard that screenwriter Max Landis (Chronicle) is working on a new draft for Ghostbusters 3 with a three-week turnaround. Landis, of course, is the son of director John Landis and costume designer/historian Deborah Nadoolman Landis. “Landis probably is doing more of a ‘polish’ than a Page 1 rewrite,” says one source. “Not huge changes, but could be cool,” another tells me.

Shortly following Finke’s scoop, Landis took to Twitter, and his first response to the story gave many fans of the long-stalled threequel hope. He tweeted:

if there’s a steady paycheck in it, I’ll believe anything you say.

— Max Landis (@Uptomyknees) June 18, 2014

And then followed it up with:

I’m stuck in an awkward situation, but it’s like, who ya gonna call? — Max Landis (@Uptomyknees) June 18, 2014

However, it turned out that Landis was just having a laugh at our expense. He clarified:

Hey guys, it pains me to say this, but you know I pride myself on being straight up person. Zero truth to the Ghostbusters report.

— Max Landis (@Uptomyknees) June 18, 2014

Frankenstein, Me Him Her, American Ultra and Mr. Right come out next year. Working on things at Uni and Sony, and indies. GB3, sadly, no. — Max Landis (@Uptomyknees) June 18, 2014

What might have happened is they saw the rad Frankenstein thing and my name was brought up, but it being reported has probably fucked me — Max Landis (@Uptomyknees) June 18, 2014

(If it was ever real at all) (which it might have been) (I hope) — Max Landis (@Uptomyknees) June 18, 2014

  The weirdest thing is it appears the big properties I have put in work on remain secret, yet Wonder Woman and Ghostbusters get reported? — Max Landis (@Uptomyknees) June 18, 2014

I guess that’s just the industry man. Something strange in the neighborhood. — Max Landis (@Uptomyknees) June 18, 2014

  Probably a lot of people relieved, and probably a lot of people disappointed. Count me among both camps. — Max Landis (@Uptomyknees) June 18, 2014

Landis would have been an interesting but risky choice for Ghostbusters 3, so much so that I definitely can agree with being both “relieved” and “disappointed” that this rumor didn’t pan out.

Who do you want to write the film? Sound off with your choices below!