UPDATE: The Hollywood Reporter has added this brief, but pretty significant bit: “Sources say the film will be a reboot focusing on female Ghostbusters.” The original story follows:
The Hollywood Reporter brings word today that Sony has zeroed in on a director for the long-gestating Ghostbusters 3 and their first choice is none other than Bridesmaids and The Heat director Paul Feig. They report that no formal negotiations have taken place, but the studio has its eyes clearly set on the director to take on the sequel.
Feig directed 2006’s Unaccompanied Minors, which brought in just $21 million at the global box office, but his two most recent films, 2011’s Bridesmaids and 2013’s The Heat, have grossed $288 million and $229 million worldwide, respectively. His next film, Spy, opens May 22, 2015.
Set to begin production next year in New York City, the storyline is rumored to focus on a new generation of Ghostbusters with cameos from the original stars written into the script. Bad Teacher and “The Office” writers Gene Stupnitsky and Lee Eisenberg wrote the current draft.