Sony Planning GHOSTBUSTERS Cinematic Universe, Eyeing Channing Tatum (and Chris Pratt?) for New Movie

A couple months ago, Sony Pictures had big plans for a Spider-Man cinematic universe. There would be Amazing Spider-Man movies, a Sinister Six film, a Venom spinoff — it would all sync together and was being crafted to rival the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Then it all fell apart.

Spider-Man is back at Marvel Studios and Sony's plans for a cinematic universe based around the webslinger are in shambles. That doesn't mean the studio has learned its lesson.

Sony Pictures is now planning a Ghostbusters cinematic universe. In addition to the female-centric Ghostbusters movie being put together by director Paul Feig, Sony is plotting another spinoff that will be directed by Joe and Anthony Russo and could star Channing Tatum, who is already on board to produce.

The Hollywood Reporter writes that original Ghostbusters director Ivan Reitman and star Dan Aykroyd will run Ghost Corps for Sony Pictures. The new production banner will guide the new Ghostbusters movies while also looking for opportunities to expand the franchise into television and merchandising.

It's easy to dismiss Sony's plans for a Ghostbusters cinematic universe as just another attempt to build a megafranchise, but the studio is really putting some serious talent behind these efforts. The previously announced Ghostbusters movie boasts Feig, Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Leslie Jones and Kate McKinnon. This other Ghostbusters movie would bring the guys who have been given responsibility of the Captain America franchise (and possibly future Avengers movies) by Marvel Studios and Sony favorite Tatum together.

Who would the Russo brothers add to their Ghostbusters mix? Community alums Donald Glover and Danny Pudi? Happy Endings vets Damon Wayans Jr. and Adam Pally? Feig leaned heavily on his Bridesmaids portfolio and Saturday Night Live. SNL has always had a strong connection to the Ghostbusters franchise. Could we see guys like Bill Hader or Jason Sudeikis join the Ghostbusters?

UPDATE: Badass Digest reports that not only is Channing Tatum in the running to star in the additional Ghostbusters movie, but so is Chris Pratt. Yes, the same Chris Pratt who's in Guardians of the Galaxy, The Lego Movie, Jurassic World and possibly an Indiana Jones reboot.

"This isn't a case of 'everybody wants Chris Pratt in their movie,'" Badass Digest writes, "this is a case of these two guys being pals and wanting to make this movie together."

The site also reports that Feig's Ghostbusters movie and the Russo brothers' Ghostbusters movies are just the tip of the iceberg. To flesh out its Ghostbusters cinematic universe, Sony is also planning an Avengers-esque movie where those two Ghostbusters crews would come together in addition to a prequel Ghostbusters movie.