Jason Reitman Opens Up About the New ‘Ghostbusters’ And His Father’s Approach to Sequels

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As a passionate movie enthusiast, I’ve just discovered that the talented Jason Reitman shared some fascinating insights about his work on “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” during an episode of Neal Brennan’s podcast – aptly named “Blocks.” He delved into various aspects of the film, including his unique filmmaking approach, and even touched upon his father, Ivan Reitman’s perspectives regarding sequels. Quite intriguing stuff!

Jason expressed his opinions about the afterlife, acknowledging that it’s possibly the least humorous Ghostbusters movie, yet he noted that it has the power to move viewers to tears, an experience he found satisfying.

The concept behind the movie originated from a deeply rooted dream of a young girl discovering a proton pack in a barn. Incidentally, during production, his daughter was the same age as the character Phoebe Spengler, adding an extra level of emotional attachment to the project for him.

Jason contemplated on the significance of the movie in a family context, as he shared that his dad, Ivan, had passed away approximately a year following their production wrap-up. He elaborated that working on Afterlife enabled him to ponder over how his father might have felt during the making of the original Ghostbusters , and how it impacted his filmmaking style for this project.

His daughter was also involved in the project, which made it even more special for him as a dad.

The discussion also delved into the distinctions between Jason’s methodology and Gil Kenan’s handling of “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire”.

Or, more concisely:

The talk included the contrasts in Jason’s style versus Gil Kenan’s directing of “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire”.

Jason intended to emulate the cinematography of the 1984 original for “Afterlife,” sticking to the same methods and minimizing contemporary technology. Essentially, crane shots are seldom used in this movie.

Apart from what Jason mentioned, it’s worth noting that his father had reservations about sequels. This could be the reason why the Ghostbusters series did not produce many follow-ups immediately after the initial film, as Ivan found it hard to comprehend the attraction of revisiting old narratives.

Jason recollected an amusing instance when he questioned Ivan regarding the Ghostbusters vehicle in “Ghostbusters 2” – the one featuring the number “2” in its emblem. Ivan just shrugged, implying it was likely an error, demonstrating his disregard for sequel specifics compared to focusing on crafting a compelling narrative.

Ultimately, Jason’s perspective on the concept of an “Afterlife” was significantly shaped by his familial ties and his father’s heritage. His aim was not merely to adhere to a formula for sequels but instead to produce something emotionally profound.

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2025-01-25 19:14