Dan Aykroyd to appear in Ghostbusters game

Still-touring Blues Brother tells the Edmonton Sun that he will lend his voice to the new game "next year." But who's publishing it?

"I'm going to be in a game?"

For a comedy that's 23 years old, Ghostbusters is sure getting a lot of attention. The newfound interest came courtesy of several clips that surfaced on YouTube in January which appeared to show an impressive-looking game based on the comedy classic. Later that same week, Slovenian developer ZootFly admitted it had a prototype Ghostbusters game running on an Xbox 360 but warned that development "had hit a snag" in terms of the IP.

"We hoped the publisher would sort out the IP issue in a jiffy and we'd be recharging proton packs in no time," ZootFly CEO Bostjan Troha told GameSpot. "Unfortunately, they didn't push to untangle the IP hard enough and the whole thing stalled a bit." Though Troha wouldn't name the IP holder, some speculated that Sony, which owns the Ghostbusters film rights, might scuttle development of the game rather than see it go to the 360.

Today, new information on the Ghostbusters project surfaced--courtesy of a member of the Ghostbusters cast. Touring in his native Canada as one half of the Blues Brothers, Dan Aykroyd revealed to the Edmonton Sun that he will be appearing in the game. He also revealed who holds the game rights to the film.

"Universal [Studios] purchased the rights from Sony for a game," Aykroyd told the Sun. "I'm actually going to have to perform and do some motion capture for them. That will be next year."

If correct, Aykroyd's comments have two implications: First, a Ghostbusters game won't appear until 2008--at the earliest. It also appears to debunk the Sony-as-spoiler rumor, although the blank YouTube pages that bore the game footage now read, "This video has been removed at the request of copyright owner Sony Pictures Entertainment because its content was used without permission."

One question the Aykroyd interview didn't answer was which company is publishing Ghostbusters. Given French media company Vivendi SA still has a major stake in its former subsidiary Universal, which is now part of NBC Universal, some assumed Vivendi Games would be distributing Ghostbusters.

However, a VG spokesman said his company has announced no such deal. "I can't comment," he told GameSpot. "This is a rumor, and we do not comment on rumors."

260 Comments

  • Luminious0

    Posted Nov 19, 2007 4:29 pm PT

    ...............The Flowers are still standing.

    - sorry , just wanted to add that lol

  • Luminious0

    Posted Nov 19, 2007 4:22 pm PT

    he was funny , evil funny in one of my fav movies: Nothing but Trouble. Great film

  • jwmccammon

    Posted Nov 18, 2007 9:50 am PT

    This looks to be a great title, can't wait to play it.

  • Zoomer30

    Posted Nov 17, 2007 4:57 am PT

    DA does evil funny better than funny funny. He was a funny bad guy in GPB and it worked.

  • trdrstv

    Posted Nov 16, 2007 6:54 am PT

    @kanharn

    "Dan Akroyd was only just funny when I was 5,
    Whats he done since the Ghostbuster???????"

    Gross Pointe Blank

  • jasonlc3221

    Posted Jun 18, 2007 9:10 am PT

    I was coherent just in time to see Ghostbusters when it came out, so I was lucky. Unfortunately that was over 20 years ago, so there are a lot of people that haven't seen it because they were born just past the Ghostbuster generation. The reason for the bargain-bin DVD is because the movie has already made PLENTY of money, now they're just trying to get the younger crowd to check it out at a great price. I think that to this day, the movies are great (even the 2nd one) compared to some of the crappy comedies of today. If this game ever comes out, I'm buying a 360 and I'm buying this game. I love Ghostbusters.

  • futuramafan101

    Posted Jun 2, 2007 10:00 am PT

    hope he is in the game and i hope the game is great

  • kanharn

    Posted Feb 8, 2007 8:30 am PT

    Dan Akroyd was only just funny when I was 5,
    Whats he done since the Ghostbuster???????

  • TwoStirsPaco

    Posted Feb 6, 2007 11:41 am PT

    I'm not sure America is ready for a Ghostbusters game. That the two-set Ghostbusters DVD package has enjoyed a celebrated run in the local megastore's bargain bin should be a strong premonition for someone out there in development.

  • Bladefist

    Posted Feb 5, 2007 9:30 pm PT

    Speaking of Bill Murray...let's see if you guys can wrap your minds around this.

    The voice actor of the Garfield cartoons also did Peter Venkman's voice in the Real Ghostbusters cartoons! Then, Bill Murray (Peter Venkman in the Ghostbuster's movie) did Garfield's voice in the Garfield movies! I've always found that bizarre...or even...paranormal.

  • axia_777

    Posted Feb 5, 2007 3:19 pm PT

    to: mistergladstone "Under that same logic, Spider-Man games wouldn't have made it to the Xbox or Gamecube, as Sony owns Columbia Pictures, and any movie tie-in games would follow suit. So far, 2 have been multi-platform, and the 3rd is poised to follow suit.

    Also, what about Monster House? True, no one played it, but it went multi-platform as well, and that's a Sony-owned one (and the one example of that being not shared by Sony is the non HD-DVD release--as it's exclusive to Blu-Ray)."

    Like I said, if it is licensed from Sony, then Sony gets paid no matter what. Money on both sides....

  • Killian420

    Posted Feb 5, 2007 1:35 pm PT

    this looks great. Its never too late for a ghostbusters game. Can't wait.

  • ThaGrateOne

    Posted Feb 5, 2007 1:24 pm PT

    Kind of hard to say yes or no on this game...I mean bringing something that was made in the 80's? This is a tough decision.

  • AvIdGaMeR444

    Posted Feb 5, 2007 12:58 pm PT

    This game should be titled "Ghostbusters: 20+ years too late for anyone to care" Dan Akroyd is lending his voice because he is now struggling with his career. This game will suck

  • lilt0193

    Posted Feb 5, 2007 12:25 pm PT

    to legacyoftain

    They are making a ghostbuster three movie. Dan Akroyd announced it this weekend. It's gonna be cg, that's the only way they could get Bill Murray to do it

  • mistergladstone

    Posted Feb 5, 2007 11:45 am PT

    Under that same logic, Spider-Man games wouldn't have made it to the Xbox or Gamecube, as Sony owns Columbia Pictures, and any movie tie-in games would follow suit. So far, 2 have been multi-platform, and the 3rd is poised to follow suit.

    Also, what about Monster House? True, no one played it, but it went multi-platform as well, and that's a Sony-owned one (and the one example of that being not shared by Sony is the non HD-DVD release--as it's exclusive to Blu-Ray).

  • axia_777

    Posted Feb 5, 2007 11:36 am PT

    Have all of you lost your heads? It is NEVER going to the 360 because Sony OWNS the movie studio that made Ghostbusters. They OWN the rights and the license! Get it? PS3 exclusive. And if they did want it on 360 they have to pay Sony the cash, so they make money both ways.....

  • Acid_Kitsune

    Posted Feb 5, 2007 10:51 am PT

    If this comes out for the 360 I might have to get one... hmmm...

  • CapoX

    Posted Feb 5, 2007 10:25 am PT

    360 !

  • piecake

    Posted Feb 5, 2007 10:23 am PT

    xbox 360 not PS3 YAS!

  • OfficialBed

    Posted Feb 5, 2007 10:07 am PT

    haha, sweet

  • JLCrogue

    Posted Feb 5, 2007 10:01 am PT

    axia_777
    "And to mattmarr about Dan Ackroyd, you are calling one the original cast members of Saturday Night Live not funny? Are you defective? SNL? Ring a bell? He worked with Belushi and Martin during what is considered to be the funniest periods of SNL history. Oh screw it, you are most likely twelve and too young to remeber such things."

    ROFL @ teh squeekerz!!!!!!!!!!!!11shiftplusononelol!!!!!

  • BranKetra

    Posted Feb 5, 2007 9:37 am PT

    "LosDaddie
    I hope it stays exclusive to the great Xbox360."

    -While we're worshipping this system, isn't about time for a sacrfice to keep the 360 God from bricking itself?

    I hope this game is more than looks...and a mimic of Luigi's Mansion.

  • LosDaddie

    Posted Feb 5, 2007 9:22 am PT

    I hope it stays exclusive to the great Xbox360.

    Go, Wii60!!

  • axia_777

    Posted Feb 5, 2007 9:13 am PT

    Do I detect a bit of sour grapes now that everyone knows that this game will never come to the 360 or the Wii because Sony wont allow it? LOL! This is funny. Everyone was so happy when it was announced for 360, but not now! Ghostbusters for PS3, oh yah! through I have to say a Ghostbusters game for Wii would kick ass! Too bad....

    And to mattmarr about Dan Ackroyd, you are calling one the original cast members of Saturday Night Live not funny? Are you defective? SNL? Ring a bell? He worked with Belushi and Martin during what is considered to be the funniest periods of SNL history. Oh screw it, you are most likely twelve and too young to remeber such things.

  • mattmarr

    Posted Feb 5, 2007 9:03 am PT

    I own Ghostbusters for the Genesis. We don't need another Ghostbusters game. Dan Aykroyd has never been funny and never will be. He should just make a sitcom where the premise is a fat, blue-collar funny guy marries a hot wife and has some kids. They could even do an episode where Little Jimmy wrecks the car and doesn't want dad to find out. Ohhh, I wonder what will happen!

  • pinballman

    Posted Feb 5, 2007 8:56 am PT

    Bring it on, A Ghostbusters game would be great! I hope they could bring back the rest of the cast for the game, and for the X-box 360!!!!

  • Bourbons3

    Posted Feb 5, 2007 8:56 am PT

    Ghost Busters FTW

  • gmg157

    Posted Feb 5, 2007 8:07 am PT

    Ghost busters rock..! im pumped.

  • EliteScout

    Posted Feb 5, 2007 8:04 am PT

    2008!!!

  • Legacyoftain

    Posted Feb 5, 2007 7:31 am PT

    WTF ever....bring me Ghostbusters III the movie then we will talk...Would be sweet to see them come out of retirement one last time to save the day. Get them all back together..."Ray when someone asks you if your a god you say YES!"

  • MxO

    Posted Feb 5, 2007 7:25 am PT

    "If there's something strange, in the neighborhood, who ya gonna call?"

    Sweet. Totally sweet.

  • Sonovius

    Posted Feb 5, 2007 7:14 am PT

    he slimed me

  • Inu7

    Posted Feb 5, 2007 6:46 am PT

    I grew up on Ghostbusters, I can't wait!

  • Zacek1000

    Posted Feb 5, 2007 6:14 am PT

    Wow! The truth revealead! We can wait until 2009.

  • kanharn

    Posted Feb 5, 2007 6:07 am PT

    There has already been 2 Ghostbuster games.
    If any of you lads have been playing games for as long as I have you would remember them on the COMMADOR 64. They where really good, one game for each film. Both games where full remakes of the films.
    I remember GB1 was the best. You had to drive to calls from people round the city who had seen ghosts and then you had to catch them with your lazers and traps. This all leading up to the roof fight with Zeus.

    You could buy ghost baits and kit up your car, trap etc...

    I hope they don't mess it up this time round.
    I don't think they will make a new film. Is the game taken off the films or the cartoon series??, I think it was called slimer

  • Sanguis_Malus

    Posted Feb 5, 2007 4:51 am PT

    Odds are it could well be another inferior movie based game.

    We shall have to wait and see, but i think it will disappoint !

  • thefjk

    Posted Feb 5, 2007 3:29 am PT

    Coooool.... Universal Pictures rocks!

  • rety5

    Posted Feb 5, 2007 3:21 am PT

    what i want to know is why the effort for a video game and not another movie? If the actors are healthy enough to do motion capture surley they could film ghostbusters 3?

  • Mr_Saturn26

    Posted Feb 5, 2007 2:30 am PT

    whoever metioned the game big rigs, ty for the entertainting hillarious review video.

  • shattapinks

    Posted Feb 5, 2007 12:27 am PT

    The name of the franchise alone should sell the game, but after checking out the clips on youtube it seems as if no traps will be in the game, and if there are no traps, then that would take away from it's authenticity to me.

  • kylemahler

    Posted Feb 4, 2007 10:34 pm PT

    A game sounds like an awesome idea....but I really want a movie to go with it too.

  • BigDaveyDogz

    Posted Feb 4, 2007 10:05 pm PT

    i would buy this game the minute it came out

    here is a link for the youtube vid:

    http://youtube.com/watch?v=inTzGSvyQzE

  • geebus

    Posted Feb 4, 2007 9:59 pm PT

    dude. Soul Man was awesome... did anyone catch the OnLy episode?

  • kajtrooper

    Posted Feb 4, 2007 9:32 pm PT

    Cool idea.

  • DSfanatic5

    Posted Feb 4, 2007 8:13 pm PT

    I remember that part in Ghostbusters 2, where Rick Moranis's character asks the chick, "Would you like to play some Super Merry-O-Brothers?"
    Even more awesome is how they used the Nes Advantage controller to pilot the Statue of Liberty through the Streets of New York.

    Sadly though, I have low expectations of any Ghostbusters game that will be released from now until eternity. After all, this whole idea stems from a prototype demo of a Ghostbusters game. This kind of thing usually turns out to be crap, but at least we have the good memories from the movies to keep us at bay.

  • ardandil

    Posted Feb 4, 2007 8:04 pm PT

    who you gonna call?

  • sabru8

    Posted Feb 4, 2007 7:53 pm PT

    This game has potential.....I'll give it that much.

  • Akivaria

    Posted Feb 4, 2007 6:36 pm PT

    Yeah, it would be nice if this one doesn't get screwed up. I still like this film, even after all this time.

    Would be even better if they can get Rick Moranis to voice Lewis.

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