Sony Pictures are pushing forward with development on the Ghostbusters brand with the formation of Ghost Corps, a new company based on the studio lot led by franchise stalwarts Dan Aykroyd and Ivan Reitman. Seeking to expand the property, the first item on their agenda is a “male-driven action-centric comedy” that’s being dubbed “a counterpart” to Paul Feig’s all-female comedy, which heads into production this June.
To head up the spinoff, Reitman has enlisted Joe and Anthony Russo – the sibling duo behind Captain America: The Winter Soldier and upcoming threequel Civil War – who recently signed a first-look deal with Sony. At the time of announcement many assumed their studio debut would be Spider-Man, but now that chatter has dissipated as they appear to be frontrunners to direct and produce the forthcoming all-male Ghostbusters pic. Iron Man 3 and Mission: Impossible 5 scribe Drew Pearce will write the forthcoming spook hunters outing.
Channing Tatum and his partners Reid Carolin and Peter Kiernan will also be producing alongside the Russos, with a starring role being eyed for Tatum. The involvement of the 22 Jump Street star isn’t the first time his name has been linked to the franchise. Back in December, the flood of leaked emails exposed during the Sony hack revealed details of a male-centric spinoff with Tatum and Chris Pratt set to star, alongside the Russos, who were then poised to produce and possibly direct.
