Yearly Archives: 2020
Ghostbusters Alternate Titles Revealed
"Who ya gonna call?" "Ghoststoppers!" Doesn't have the same ring to it, does it? But that's one of the alternate names the 1984 movie Ghostbusters had as a back-up in case they couldn't use their preferred title.
Outtakes from the movie reveal different names for the team were filmed in case director Ivan Reitman and Co. couldn't call the film Ghostbusters due to rights issues (more on that in a bit). The outtakes -- unearthed by /Film and posted on the official Ghostbusters YouTube channel -- for the scene where Peter Venkman (Bill Murray), Ray Stantz (Dan Aykroyd), and Egon Spengler (Harold Ramis) shoot a TV commercial for their business reveal the two other names their team almost went by.
One name was Ghoststoppers and the other was Ghostblasters. Other titles reportedly considered included Ghostbreakers and Ghostsmashers.
The Ghostbusters commercial outtakes were first exclusively teased by IGN almost exactly a year ago but our clip (seen below) did not include the alternate team names.
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/06/10/ghostbusters-tv-commercial-outtakes-exclusive"]
During the production of Ghostbusters, director Ivan Reitman and co-writer/star Dan Aykroyd were aware that their movie might not ultimately be able to be called Ghostbusters due to rights issues. There was an existing kids TV series from the 1970s called The Ghost Busters that was owned by Universal. (Reitman's Ghostbusters is a Columbia Pictures property.)
As recalled both in this Ghostbusters oral history as well as in an episode of the Netflix docuseries The Movies That Made Us, it took some wheeling and dealing between Columbia and Universal to hash out a deal. Fortunately, the new boss at Universal, Frank Price, was previously the boss at Columbia where one of the projects developed under him was none other than Ghostbusters.
[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-25-best-comedies&captions=true"]
In the end, Columbia paid Universal $500,000 plus 1% of the movie's profits to be able to use Ghostbusters as the title of what is now widely considered one of the best comedies of all time.
For more on the (largely) unknown history of the Ghostbusters franchise, learn about the unmade Ghostbusters 3 and how Ghostbusters impacted the ending of Marvel's Avengers. The surviving original Ghostbusters stars will return in Ghostbusters: Afterlife, opening in 2021.
Ghostbusters Alternate Titles Revealed
"Who ya gonna call?" "Ghoststoppers!" Doesn't have the same ring to it, does it? But that's one of the alternate names the 1984 movie Ghostbusters had as a back-up in case they couldn't use their preferred title.
Outtakes from the movie reveal different names for the team were filmed in case director Ivan Reitman and Co. couldn't call the film Ghostbusters due to rights issues (more on that in a bit). The outtakes -- unearthed by /Film and posted on the official Ghostbusters YouTube channel -- for the scene where Peter Venkman (Bill Murray), Ray Stantz (Dan Aykroyd), and Egon Spengler (Harold Ramis) shoot a TV commercial for their business reveal the two other names their team almost went by.
One name was Ghoststoppers and the other was Ghostblasters. Other titles reportedly considered included Ghostbreakers and Ghostsmashers.
The Ghostbusters commercial outtakes were first exclusively teased by IGN almost exactly a year ago but our clip (seen below) did not include the alternate team names.
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/06/10/ghostbusters-tv-commercial-outtakes-exclusive"]
During the production of Ghostbusters, director Ivan Reitman and co-writer/star Dan Aykroyd were aware that their movie might not ultimately be able to be called Ghostbusters due to rights issues. There was an existing kids TV series from the 1970s called The Ghost Busters that was owned by Universal. (Reitman's Ghostbusters is a Columbia Pictures property.)
As recalled both in this Ghostbusters oral history as well as in an episode of the Netflix docuseries The Movies That Made Us, it took some wheeling and dealing between Columbia and Universal to hash out a deal. Fortunately, the new boss at Universal, Frank Price, was previously the boss at Columbia where one of the projects developed under him was none other than Ghostbusters.
[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-25-best-comedies&captions=true"]
In the end, Columbia paid Universal $500,000 plus 1% of the movie's profits to be able to use Ghostbusters as the title of what is now widely considered one of the best comedies of all time.
For more on the (largely) unknown history of the Ghostbusters franchise, learn about the unmade Ghostbusters 3 and how Ghostbusters impacted the ending of Marvel's Avengers. The surviving original Ghostbusters stars will return in Ghostbusters: Afterlife, opening in 2021.
Summer Games Done Quick 2020 Cancels On-Site Event, Moves Online
Games Done Quick has announced that its physical Summer Games Done Quick (SGDQ) 2020 event has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but an online event will take its place to allow runners to "participate from the safety of their homes."
Summer Games Done Quick 2020 Online will run from August 16-23, 2020 in support of Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières. 100% of all donations go directly to Doctors Without Borders and Games Done Quick has raised over $26 million for charities around the world since 2010.
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2018/07/04/the-celeste-speedrun-that-wasnt-humanly-possible"]
"We would like to thank the community for its patience while we were figuring out the best way to proceed with Summer Games Done Quick 2020," said Kasumi Yogi, Director of Marketing and Business Development at Games Done Quick. "We're excited to continue showcasing some of the most talented speedrunners in the world while observing best practices to keep everyone safe in the midst of a global pandemic."
Games Done Quick also holds the Awesome Games Done Quick event in the Winter, and the last one took place earlier this year and raised over $3.13 million for the Prevent Cancer Foundation. The over 54,000 donations were from over 80 countries.
Games Done Quick also recently held a speedrunning marathon to help raise funds against the COVID-19 pandemic called Corona Relief Done Quick. It was held in April 2020 and raised over $400,000.
[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=games-to-play-while-stuck-at-home&captions=true"]
For more on speedrunning, be sure to check out our Devs React series where developers watch speedrunners race through their games. Some of the latest runs were from Darksiders Genesis, Resident Evil 2, Dead Cells, Doom Eternal, and Half-Life 2.
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Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.
Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.
Summer Games Done Quick 2020 Cancels On-Site Event, Moves Online
Games Done Quick has announced that its physical Summer Games Done Quick (SGDQ) 2020 event has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but an online event will take its place to allow runners to "participate from the safety of their homes."
Summer Games Done Quick 2020 Online will run from August 16-23, 2020 in support of Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières. 100% of all donations go directly to Doctors Without Borders and Games Done Quick has raised over $26 million for charities around the world since 2010.
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2018/07/04/the-celeste-speedrun-that-wasnt-humanly-possible"]
"We would like to thank the community for its patience while we were figuring out the best way to proceed with Summer Games Done Quick 2020," said Kasumi Yogi, Director of Marketing and Business Development at Games Done Quick. "We're excited to continue showcasing some of the most talented speedrunners in the world while observing best practices to keep everyone safe in the midst of a global pandemic."
Games Done Quick also holds the Awesome Games Done Quick event in the Winter, and the last one took place earlier this year and raised over $3.13 million for the Prevent Cancer Foundation. The over 54,000 donations were from over 80 countries.
Games Done Quick also recently held a speedrunning marathon to help raise funds against the COVID-19 pandemic called Corona Relief Done Quick. It was held in April 2020 and raised over $400,000.
[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=games-to-play-while-stuck-at-home&captions=true"]
For more on speedrunning, be sure to check out our Devs React series where developers watch speedrunners race through their games. Some of the latest runs were from Darksiders Genesis, Resident Evil 2, Dead Cells, Doom Eternal, and Half-Life 2.
[poilib element="accentDivider"]
Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.
Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.
World of Warcraft: Shadowlands Livestream Postponed
Blizzard has announced that it has postponed its upcoming World of Warcraft: Shadowlands livestream that was originally planned for June 9. Blizzard says that now is not the right time for the event and will announce more details at a later date.
Blizzard had previously announced that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it will not be hosting a physical BlizzCon event this year. While the company said that a digital alternative is being planned for early 2021, the company also announced a livestream event to detail more of its upcoming World of Warcraft: shadowland expansion. The original event would feature executive producer John Hight and game director Ion Hazzikostas as they provide a new look into WoW's next expansion. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/11/01/world-of-warcraft-shadowlands-expansion-cinematic-trailer"] Announced at BlizzCon 2019, Shadowlands is WoW's eight expansion. Set in the world of the dead, one notable feature is that Shadowlands will reduce the level cap to 60 from 120, rather than raise it. IGN will provide an updated date when it is announced. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Kim is a reporter for IGN.More important voices than ours need to be heard, and now is the time to listen.
We are postponing our upcoming World of Warcraft: Shadowlands livestream planned for June 9, and will share more details about the expansion in the future. — World of Warcraft (@Warcraft) June 5, 2020
World of Warcraft: Shadowlands Livestream Postponed
Blizzard has announced that it has postponed its upcoming World of Warcraft: Shadowlands livestream that was originally planned for June 9. Blizzard says that now is not the right time for the event and will announce more details at a later date.
Blizzard had previously announced that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it will not be hosting a physical BlizzCon event this year. While the company said that a digital alternative is being planned for early 2021, the company also announced a livestream event to detail more of its upcoming World of Warcraft: shadowland expansion. The original event would feature executive producer John Hight and game director Ion Hazzikostas as they provide a new look into WoW's next expansion. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/11/01/world-of-warcraft-shadowlands-expansion-cinematic-trailer"] Announced at BlizzCon 2019, Shadowlands is WoW's eight expansion. Set in the world of the dead, one notable feature is that Shadowlands will reduce the level cap to 60 from 120, rather than raise it. IGN will provide an updated date when it is announced. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Kim is a reporter for IGN.More important voices than ours need to be heard, and now is the time to listen.
We are postponing our upcoming World of Warcraft: Shadowlands livestream planned for June 9, and will share more details about the expansion in the future. — World of Warcraft (@Warcraft) June 5, 2020
Valorant is Being Prototyped for Consoles, But It Won’t Necessarily Happen
Riot Games said Valorant is being prototyped for consoles but that this doesn't necessarily mean the game is coming to consoles.
Valorant was released on PC on June 2 and already, its popularity has fans wondering about the game's current exclusivity to PC and whether or not the 5v5 tactical shooter will ever come to consoles. Valorant Executive Producer Anna Donlon answered this by saying that a console version of the game is currently being prototyped.
[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=gameplay-screenshots-of-valorant-closed-beta&captions=true"]
"We are definitely prototyping that right now," Donlon said in an interview with GameSpot. "But there's a way to play this game and there's a way to experience this game that we're not entirely sure translates completely to console play."
Donlon said the core of Valorant is the game's "strong level of competitive integrity" and that the team doesn't want players to feel the effects of unfair advantages from the platform the game is played on. Players would need to feel the same Valorant "experience" no matter what console they're on, according to Donlon.
"If we feel like we can deliver this experience on those platforms, we absolutely will," Donlon said. "But we really want Valorant to stand for a certain type of gameplay and a certain type of experience.
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/03/02/valorant-riots-gameplay-explainer"]
Donlon said if Riot Games needs to "compromise" on any facet of the game to make it work on consoles, the console version just won't happen.
"It's not a no, for sure, but it definitely wasn't the focus out of the gate," Donlon said. "If we're to do it, it'll definitely be delayed."
If you're playing Valorant on PC, be sure to check out our guide on the best Valorant map callouts and the patch notes for the game's 1.0 update. Read about how cheaters banned during the Valorant beta are still banned even after the game's full release. If you haven't given the free-to-play game a go yet, read about what you can expect in our Valorant review in progress.
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Wesley LeBlanc is a freelance news writer and guide maker for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @LeBlancWes.
Valorant is Being Prototyped for Consoles, But It Won’t Necessarily Happen
Riot Games said Valorant is being prototyped for consoles but that this doesn't necessarily mean the game is coming to consoles.
Valorant was released on PC on June 2 and already, its popularity has fans wondering about the game's current exclusivity to PC and whether or not the 5v5 tactical shooter will ever come to consoles. Valorant Executive Producer Anna Donlon answered this by saying that a console version of the game is currently being prototyped.
[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=gameplay-screenshots-of-valorant-closed-beta&captions=true"]
"We are definitely prototyping that right now," Donlon said in an interview with GameSpot. "But there's a way to play this game and there's a way to experience this game that we're not entirely sure translates completely to console play."
Donlon said the core of Valorant is the game's "strong level of competitive integrity" and that the team doesn't want players to feel the effects of unfair advantages from the platform the game is played on. Players would need to feel the same Valorant "experience" no matter what console they're on, according to Donlon.
"If we feel like we can deliver this experience on those platforms, we absolutely will," Donlon said. "But we really want Valorant to stand for a certain type of gameplay and a certain type of experience.
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/03/02/valorant-riots-gameplay-explainer"]
Donlon said if Riot Games needs to "compromise" on any facet of the game to make it work on consoles, the console version just won't happen.
"It's not a no, for sure, but it definitely wasn't the focus out of the gate," Donlon said. "If we're to do it, it'll definitely be delayed."
If you're playing Valorant on PC, be sure to check out our guide on the best Valorant map callouts and the patch notes for the game's 1.0 update. Read about how cheaters banned during the Valorant beta are still banned even after the game's full release. If you haven't given the free-to-play game a go yet, read about what you can expect in our Valorant review in progress.
[poilib element="accentDivider"]
Wesley LeBlanc is a freelance news writer and guide maker for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @LeBlancWes.
The Witcher Season 2 May Be About to Restart Production
Netflix's The Witcher season 2 could resume filming soon, as production studios in the UK are starting to open their doors again.
Deadline reports that Arborfield Studios, which was one of the first production studios to shut down in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, is preparing to reopen for business in the coming weeks.
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/12/27/the-witcher-season-1-review"]
Arborfield Studios' managing director Bob Terry confirmed that work is "underway to reopen the site," as the UK government recently approved a new mandate of safety protocols in relation to film and television productions, outlining rules around physical distancing, safety training, and temperature tests.
The Guardian notes that these new guidelines, compiled by the British Film Commission and the British Film Institute, will enable some film and television shoots to take their first steps back into production. However, it will be up to each individual production to decide how, and when, to restart filming; Netflix has not given any official word on its position as of yet.
"This is a green light that signals that the UK is open for business again for film and high-end TV production," an industry source told the outlet. "Many productions have to get up and running again in the next two months or they won't get made this year as they rely on summer weather and conditions."
[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-delayed-movie-due-to-coronavirus-so-far&captions=true"]
The Witcher season 2 suspended its production in London back in March, as Netflix paused filming on all of its films and TV shows in the US and Canada, including Stranger Things, which was shooting its fourth season before the unscheduled interruption.
The Witcher season 2 is currently expected to premiere in 2021. For more on the fantasy series, check out our cast rundown of all the new characters appearing in season 2, discover all about the new fantasy elements being introduced in future episodes, and find out why Netflix ultimately decided to adapt the books and not the games.
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Adele Ankers is a Freelance Entertainment Journalist. You can reach her on Twitter.
The Witcher Season 2 May Be About to Restart Production
Netflix's The Witcher season 2 could resume filming soon, as production studios in the UK are starting to open their doors again.
Deadline reports that Arborfield Studios, which was one of the first production studios to shut down in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, is preparing to reopen for business in the coming weeks.
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/12/27/the-witcher-season-1-review"]
Arborfield Studios' managing director Bob Terry confirmed that work is "underway to reopen the site," as the UK government recently approved a new mandate of safety protocols in relation to film and television productions, outlining rules around physical distancing, safety training, and temperature tests.
The Guardian notes that these new guidelines, compiled by the British Film Commission and the British Film Institute, will enable some film and television shoots to take their first steps back into production. However, it will be up to each individual production to decide how, and when, to restart filming; Netflix has not given any official word on its position as of yet.
"This is a green light that signals that the UK is open for business again for film and high-end TV production," an industry source told the outlet. "Many productions have to get up and running again in the next two months or they won't get made this year as they rely on summer weather and conditions."
[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-delayed-movie-due-to-coronavirus-so-far&captions=true"]
The Witcher season 2 suspended its production in London back in March, as Netflix paused filming on all of its films and TV shows in the US and Canada, including Stranger Things, which was shooting its fourth season before the unscheduled interruption.
The Witcher season 2 is currently expected to premiere in 2021. For more on the fantasy series, check out our cast rundown of all the new characters appearing in season 2, discover all about the new fantasy elements being introduced in future episodes, and find out why Netflix ultimately decided to adapt the books and not the games.
[poilib element="accentDivider"]
Adele Ankers is a Freelance Entertainment Journalist. You can reach her on Twitter.
