Ghostbusters VFX Breakdown & Times Square Ghosts Concept Art

In order to break-even, with a $144 million production budget and a big marketing spend, Paul Feig's female-driven Ghostbusters reboot/remake needed to gross $300 million; however, since being released on July 9, the film has only earned $208.4 million at the global box office, so far. With time running out on its theatrical run, it's looking like Sony Pictures will have to eat $70 million-plus and say goodbye to any possibilities of a sequel.

To avoid wallowing in its disappointment, let's take a look at this cool visual effects breakdown for the film that was recently released by Iloura. It showcases how many of the ghosts were created with a blend of CGI and practical effects.

As for the concept art, which was illustrated by Kyle Brown, it features designs for a couple of the Times Square Ghosts. Brown wrote, "The idea was that Ghosts from all of New York's history populate Time Square for the final act." The first ghost was inspired by Bowery Boys leader, William Poole (a.k.a. Bill the Butcher); however, you probably identify him as Daniel Day-Lewis's William "Bill the Butcher" Cutting, the character that was based on Poole in Martin Scorsese's 2002 film Gangs of New York. As for the second ghost, it is of a New York flasher exposing himself. Brown tried several variations, but director Paul Feig went with a less risqué version. Brown shared, "The Flasher does show up for a split second, sans some more questionable features."

Ghostbusters makes its long-awaited return, rebooted with a cast of hilarious new characters. Thirty years after the beloved original franchise took the world by storm, director Paul Feig brings his fresh take to the supernatural comedy, joined by some of the funniest actors working today – Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones, and Chris Hemsworth. This summer, they're here to save the world!

The film is directed by Paul Feig (The Heat, Bridesmaids), written by Feig and Katie Dippold, and produced by Ivan Reitman and Amy Pascal. Feig, Jessie Henderson, Tom Pollock, Joe Medjuck, Ali Bell, Michele Imperato Stabile, and Dan Aykroyd are its executive producers. The cast features Melissa McCarthy (Tammy), Kristen Wiig (Saturday Night Live), Kate McKinnon (Saturday Night Live), Leslie Jones (Saturday Night Live), Charles Dance (Game of Thrones), Michael Kenneth Williams (Boardwalk Empire), Neil Casey (Adult Beginners), Elizabeth Perkins (Big), and Chris Hemsworth (Thor). The film will feature cameos from Bill Murray (Groundhog Day), Dan Aykroyd (Spies Like Us), Sigourney Weaver (Alien), Ernie Hudson (The Crow), Annie Potts (Designing Women), and Ozzy Osbourne.

Ghostbusters is now playing!