I ain’t afraid of no gender switched franchise!

For years, fans of the Ghostbusters films have been clamoring for a sequel. But as time has marched on, the reality of such a film becoming a reality seemed as ethereal as a ghost haunting the stacks of the New York Public Library. However, a recent development suggests that there’s still (ahem) life left in the franchise.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Paul Feig, director of The Heat and Bridesmaids, has been tapped as the frontrunner to helm the Ghostbusters reboot. The bustin’ revival will shift focus on the old guard, including at this point only Dan Akroyd (Dr. Ray Stantz in the original films), passing the torch on to three new female Ghostbusters.

The possibility of a Ghostbuster 3 has been stymied by various roadblocks: Bill Murray, who played Dr. Peter Venkman in the original movies, has been adamant in his lack of interest in participating a sequel and reprising his role. Harold Ramis, who co-wrote Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters 2 with Akroyd, and who played Dr. Egon Spengler in the films, passed away this past February. In addition to crossing the streams and threatening to destroy any chance of a follow-up movie, director Ivan Reitman, who directed the previous films, dropped out of participating in a potential sequel shortly after Ramis’ death. And Ernie Hudson (Winston Zeddemore) has public ally stated that he didn’t feel a Ghostbusters sequel was possible without Ramis.

Feig certainly has proved in a recent years that he has a solid grasp on directing blockbuster comedic hits. Bridesmaids came out like gangbusters and conquered the box office, following up that effort with the Sandra Bullock/Melissa McCarthy comedic vehicle The Heat. In addition, if a Ghostbusters sequel will indeed focus on three female Ghostbusters, Feig has shown that he knows how to create smart, hilarious, female-driven films.

[Source: The Hollywood Reporter]