Netflix Greenlights 'Ghostbusters' Animated Series,
Taps Elliott Kalan as Showrunner
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Netflix has greenlit the animated "Ghostbusters" series first
announced in 2022, Variety has learned exclusively from
sources. In addition, Variety has learned that Elliott Kalan
has boarded the project as writer, showrunner, and executive
producer.
The show was first reported to be in development at the
streamer back in June 2022. Exact plot details are still under
wraps, but sources say the 3D animated series will be tonally
in line with the recent "Ghostbusters" films.
As previously reported, the series hails from Sony Pictures
Animation, with Jason Reitman and Gil Kenan of Ghost Corps, Inc.
onboard as executive producers. Reitman and Kenan recently
co-wrote the live-action features "Ghostbusters: Afterlife" and
"Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire," with Reitman directing the former
and Kenan directing the latter. Production on the series will be
handled by Netflix and Ghost Corps, Inc., which is based at
Sony's Columbia Pictures.
Reps for Netflix and Sony did not immediately respond to
Variety's request comment.
Kalan is best known for his time as the head writer of "The Daily
Show with Jon Stewart." During his time with the show, he was
part of the team that received seven consecutive Emmy nominations
for best writing for a variety series, winning four. After that,
Kalan was the head writer of the Netflix revival of the cult hit
series "Mystery Science Theater 3000." He is also known for
co-hosting "The Flop House" podcast and for writing the comic
book series "Spider-Man and the X-Men."
He is repped by Verve, Artists First, and Schreck Rose.
This is now the third "Ghostbusters" animated series in franchise
history. Previously, "The Real Ghostbusters" aired for 140
episodes, mostly on ABC and in syndication, from 1986-1991. It
continued the adventures of the characters from the original film.
It was followed by "Extreme Ghostbusters," which aired for 40
episodes in syndication. That show featured a mostly new lineup of
characters, though the team was led by Egon Spengler.
"Ghostbusters: Afterlife" premiered in November 2021. It was
well-received by critics and went on to gross nearly $200 million
worldwide against a reported budget of $75 million. "Frozen
Empire," meanwhile, premiered in March 2024 and earned just over
$200 million worldwide against a $100 million budget.
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https://au.variety.com/2024/tv/news/ghostbusters-netflix-animated-series-elliott-kalan-showrunner-16926/>
[NEWS] "Ghostbusters" animated series greenlit by Netflix