CONFIRMED! The Office’s Gene Stupnitsky and Lee Eisenberg Writing Ghostbusters 3. “Next-Gen” Rumors Confirmed!

The trades are reporting that Gene Stupnitsky and Lee Eisenberg (co-exec producers/writers on NBC’s The Office) have officially been hired by Columbia Pictures/Sony to pen the script for Ghostbusters 3. The script will reportedly bring together the original cast including Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, Bill Murray and Ernie Hudson, Slimer?, though none of the actors have officially signed to reprise their roles. The Hollywood Reporter says that Ghostbusters I and II director Ivan Reitman is “aware and involved” in the project’s development. The “next-gen” storyline has also been confirmed, though no specifics were offered. Read below for further info on this aspect.

The general impression based on years of tentative Ghostbusters 3 rumors is that of a feisty tug-o-war between the original players. Yesterday, Dan Aykroyd parlayed that “two sharp young writers” were working on the script, and expressed hope that Seth Rogen and Judd Apatow would be involved. Today, Pajiba has possibly identified the writers as Gene Stupnitsky and Lee Eisenberg of The Office (”Job Fair”, “Goodbye Toby”) and this goes along with what Slashfilm has been hearing from a few sources.

Interestingly enough, the site claims that their original script outline was done under-the-radar of director/star Harold Ramis, yet beloved by Columbia Pictures, even though Stupnitsky and Eisenberg scribed Ramis and Judd Apatow’s 2009 Biblical comedy Year One. So, now the three of them are rumored to be working on a new treatment that’s not sitting well with the studio. Slashfilm cannot confirm this, but it’s interesting nonetheless. Moreover, it’s said that the original script outline was a “next generation” sequel. Rumors were shot down back in July involving Seth Rogen, Paul Rudd, Steve Carrell and Romany Malco. Perhaps we should think younger?

One thing is for sure: With next year’s video game already earning lots of ink, Ghostbusters 3 is being dusted off and proposed as a torch of sorts. When and if confirmed, I think Stupnitsky and Eisenberg’s involvement will be seen is a plus. These are guys who probably love the original film(s) but also appropriately update the material and tone. And let’s hope Rick Moranis’s Louis Tully returns.