After the rip-roaring success that wasGhostbusters: Afterlife,which breathed new life—ironically—into the spectral series, a sequel was confirmed a few months later with directorJason Reitmanstepping away from behind the camera to allow his co-writer and producer on the reboot,Gil Kenan, the chance to helm his first outing on the franchise.
Afterlife, a sequel set three decades after the events ofGhostbusters II, saw the estranged family of Egon Spengler (Harold Ramis), move to Oklahoma to inherit the farm Egon left them when he died in mysterious circumstances. The film produced a box office return of $205 million from a $75 million budget, to the delight of Sony Pictures. The fact the movie was a sequel also meant the opportunity to bring back familiar faces from the franchise, one of whom—Sigourney Weaver—has recently discussed the prospects of making an appearance in the series after reprising her role as Dana Barrett in anAfterlifecameo.
During the press tour for her upcoming film,Master Gardner, Weaver - along with her co-starJoel Edgerton- joined Collider’s Editor-in-chiefSteve Weintraubto discuss the film, and Weintraub took the opportunity to ask Weaver about the prospects of her popping up in the next installment,which brings the series back to its Manhattan roots. First, joking she would be playing the role of Slimer’s mother, Weaver went on to state: “No, I mean, I wasn’t asked to be in thisGhostbusters, and I think, you know, a little of us goes a long way.”
RELATED:‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife 2’: Release Date, Cast, Filming Details, and Everything We Know so Far
What We Know AboutGhostbusters: Afterlife 2
Plot details on the film,which has also been referred to asFirehouse, after the iconic headquarters for the original group, have been difficult to come across thus far, but we do know it’s a direct sequel toAfterlife—and it’s been filming since March.Afterlife’s end credits scene teasedErnie Hudson’s Winston returning Ecto-1—the famous Ghostbusters vehicle—to the firehouse in New York City, as a light on the ecto-containment unit flashed red, in a tease to a follow-up. During the aftermath of the film’s release,Reitman did reveal that there would be an opportunity to see villainsfromGhostbusterspast—like Vigo the Carpathian—make their return, saying:
“There is a lot of time and opportunity for Vigo the Carpathian to make his return. Look, are you saying that’s the only painting of Vigo the Carpathian? Maybe, he’s riding a horse in another one, maybe, impaling someone in another one.”
This would be a sensible approach after the success of bringing Gozer, the original villain, back forAfterlife. Reitman had taken over directing duties fromhis father,Ivan Reitman, and now Kenan is taking the reins from him having previously directed another movie about ‘kids battling monsters’ inMonster House.Reitman is still co-producing and writing the script, and will return alongside co-producerJason Blumenfeld(Tully) and cinematographerEric Steelberg(Juno).
Returning fromAfterlifeareMcKenna Graceas Egon’s granddaughter, Phoebe,Finn Wolfhardas Egon’s grandson, Trevor, andCarrie Coonas Egon’s daughter, Callie. Also confirmed to return are the kids' science teacher and Callie’s romantic interest, Grooberson (Paul Rudd), and Trevor’s friend Lucky (Celeste O’Connor). The sequel will also includeseveral new faces joining the cast, includingKumail Nanjiani(The Big Sick),Patton Oswalt(Ratatouille),James Acaster(Cinderella), andEmily Alyn Lind(Doctor Sleep). Of the legacy characters, we now know that Weaver is out, but Hudson will be returning, however, the status ofotherGhostbustersalumniBill Murray, Dan Aykroyd,andAnnie Pottsis not yet known. A return forRick Moraniswould also be a wonderful sight to see.
TheGhostbusterssequel is currently slated to release exclusively in theaters onWednesday, December 20th, 2023. Stay tuned to Collider for more details on theGhostbusters: Afterlifesequel as and when we have it.
