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For almost 40 years, the question on everyone’s mind has been who you should call when there is something strange in your neighborhood. However, there is a strong possibility the answer to that question goes back even further than we thought, with a potential Ghostbusters prequel film having been in development at Sony for a decade now.

The possibility of a prequel to the first Ghostbusters movie will be both interesting and difficult to pull off. While elements of the paranormal were clearly present in the setting before the 1984 film, most of the imagery we associate with the Ghostbusters – the proton packs and uniforms, for example – were established during that movie. A movie set earlier in the timeline would risk not feeling like a Ghostbusters movie at all.

That is probably the problem facing Sony Pictures as they look to expand the Ghostbusters universe with not just more sequels but a potential animated film told from the ghosts' point of view. The prequel project has been in various stages of development since 2014, with actors like Channing Tatum and Chris Pratt attached to star at different points. Both the Russo Brothers and Spider-Man: Across the Spiderverse’s Phil Lord and Christopher Miller were in talks to direct or produce the prequel, but still no word on when – or even if – the movie would eventually progress.

With Frozen Empire right around the corner and a Netflix animated series in the works, there are still plenty of Ghostbusters media coming our way, so it remains possible that the prequel film will eventually see the light of day. Right now we just have to wait and see.

When there's something weird... in your neighborhood... let Popverse be your spiritual advisor in all things Ghostbusters. Not only do we have the correct Ghostbusters watch guide for your macabre movie marathons, but we'll even let you know how to cosplay a Ghostbuster and how to visit Ghostbusters HQ in NYC.