How Sony is Screwing Up ‘Ghostbusters’

I love Ghostbusters. I grew up with the franchise. I used to have a toy proton pack. I had the action figures. I have watched both films many times, and have clear memories of the “Real Ghostbusters” TV show.

So as details came together about Paul Feig’s all women reboot of the franchise, I was excited. I mean, it’s a stellar cast, and it looked like Sony was putting their full weight behind it.

Only, y’know, it turns out not so much.

You see, even before this reboot comes out, Sony seems determined to undermine it. We didn’t report on it because we were annoyed with the news, but earlier this week Sony confirmed that after the “all women” version of the franchise they’re going to do an “all dude” Ghostbusters.

Sony effectively announced another reboot of the franchise before the first reboot they’re doing comes out.

And sure, I love the Russo Brothers (who will direct the film) and Channing Tatum (who will likely star) has solid comedy chops, but what this news says to consumers (intentionally or not) is “Feig’s Ghostbusters isn’t the real Ghostbusters, that’ll be the next film.”

This isn’t about the gendered weirdness of switching back to an all dude cast (although that’s a thing too), but moreso something the tech industry refers to as “The Osborne Effect.” Sony is implying that this reboot “doesn’t count,” so you may as well wait until the next one.

This will hurt ticket sales, but more importantly damage the franchise they’re trying to build. Because by damaging the first movie, they actually are risking the viability of the follow up. In other words, by promising the Russo Brothers film, they are risking the Feig film… which if it fails would kill the Russo Brothers film.

Which is painfully stupid. After everything with Spider-Man, you’d think they’d be more careful at this point.