We got the hidden story behind the original Ghostbusters script
Before its release in 1984, the original Ghostbusters script was very different from the story audiences know today. Dan Aykroyd wrote the first draft without restraint, emphasizing the science fiction elements and making the supernatural characters more prominent. Such a significant difference seems unusual in such a famous film, but the truth is that the first version of the script looks like a completely different film.
Script rewriting process
Ghostbusters has become a popular culture icon for its innovative spirit, humor, outlandish creature designs, and concept of combating the paranormal. A legacy that spans almost 40 years, the success of the first film seems like a stroke of luck with the right people working together at the right time. However, the script had to be completely rewritten before it was ready for filming.
If Ikroyd’s original script was not resolved, he had problems preventing the film from being made. The original plot featured Aykroyd and John Belushi as a pair of professional ghost hunters battling paranormal enemies in various locations in outer space.
But Blueshy passed away before the script was finished, and vast amounts of special effects were needed to create the sets and the terrifying creatures that inhabit them. In an interview (via Vanity Fair), director Ivan Reitman described the script as “impossible to make, but it had great ideas,” and he, Aykroyd, and Harold Ramis made extensive revisions to the script. At the time, cutting content from the Ghostbusters script was as important as a creative decision.
New York’s transformation into a paranormal scene
New York was used as a setting in part because of the technical challenges, but also because it allowed the filmmakers to feel more special about the supernatural elements. The metropolitan backdrop may seem less exciting, but the juxtaposition between the paranormal and the ordinary makes certain scenes more effective. Slimer’s appearance at the Sedgwick Hotel is remarkable because the design is so strange and realistic that it easily becomes the focus when he’s on screen. Using other international settings would probably have distracted the audience from their own ghosts because instead of one character standing out, all the characters would be featured.
Perhaps the most important change to the script was the tone of the film. Aykroyd’s first draft was clearly darker than the final version, but the popular ghostbusters show managed to create enough humor to balance the tone between the horror and action sequences.
It’s impossible to imagine a darker version of Ghostbusters, but since comedy is such an important part of the film’s identity, it’s probably a more serious film. The premise of four men battling a ghost without much of a clue as to how they’re doing it makes for some hilarious jokes out of the absurdity of the situation, as the film builds tension when necessary but never forgets to bring laughter to the audience.
The innovation behind the changes
Although many unique ideas had to be cut from the original Ghostbusters script, the final version speaks volumes for the creativity of the people who made it. With a new episode down the road, perhaps some of Dan Aykroyd’s earlier ideas will be revisited or spark entirely new ideas. Only time will tell what new plans await the Ghostbusters in the next chapter of the story.
The success of Ghostbusters lies not only in the story and special effects, but also in the adaptation and creativity of the team. As the franchise continues, fans can look forward to seeing how this beloved saga evolves, hoping that the original content they’ve always loved will still be there.