Ghostbusters Star Has Bad News For Future Franchise Appearances

Ghostbusters Star Has Bad News For Future Franchise Appearances

As a lifelong fan who has grown up with the Ghostbusters franchise, I must admit that the prospect of Dan Aykroyd and Bill Murray not returning for future installments leaves me with a tinge of sadness. Their iconic roles as Ray Stantz and Peter Venkman have been an integral part of my childhood memories, and seeing them in action again was nothing short of magical in both Ghostbusters: Afterlife and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.


As a die-hard Ghostbusters fan, I can’t help but feel a pang of disappointment when I say, I don’t think Dan Aykroyd and Bill Murray are planning to come back for more Ghostbusters adventures. These gentlemen have been an integral part of the series since the 1984 original, and they brought their iconic characters to life in the latest two installments – 2021’s Ghostbusters: Afterlife and this year’s Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. However, it seems like we’ve seen the last of them on the ghost-busting frontier.

In an interview with the New York Post, Aykroyd expressed that he didn’t foresee their involvement. He questioned why they would be required for this project, given that there’s a fresh cast and a host of innovative concepts already in place.

In their respective ways, both “Afterlife” and “Frozen Empire” evoke a sense of nostalgia by reprising actors such as Aykroyd, Murray, and others from the original series. However, these films predominantly revolve around the new generation of Ghostbusters. Director Gil Kenan refers to them as part of the “Phoebe Spengler saga,” emphasizing the pivotal role Egon Spengler’s granddaughter plays in the continuity of the franchise. Future Ghostbusters movies are likely to keep Phoebe and her family at the heart of the storyline.

[Related: Ghostbusters Director Teases More Sequels on the Way After Frozen Empire Disappointment]

The movie titled “Frozen Empire” didn’t fare well critically and financially, earning just $201.9 million globally while having a production budget of $100 million. Surprisingly, there are plans to keep the series going. Kenan, who collaborated with Jason Reitman on “Frozen Empire” (both directing and co-writing it), expressed that they have more tales to share on the big screen. Furthermore, a Ghostbusters animated series is making its way to Netflix, with Aykroyd serving as an executive producer for this show.

It was delightful to witness Ray Stantz, Peter Venkman, and other beloved characters from the series in the latest movies; however, it might work best if they retire their proton packs permanently. One of the reasons why “Frozen Empire” received mixed reviews is that it appeared to be struggling between advancing Phoebe’s story from “Afterlife” and providing enough material for the returning cast members. The film seemed to have too many characters, and narrowing down the cast for the next movie could help it become more streamlined. The original Ghostbusters played a significant role in passing the torch, and now it’s time for the franchise to progress.

It’s uncertain if a sequel to the movie titled “Frozen Empire” will take place. The film’s disappointing performance at the box office might lead Sony to believe that the property isn’t as popular in mainstream circles as it used to be. Actress Carrie Coon, who is expected to reprise her role as Phoebe’s mother Callie Spengler, hasn’t received a script for a follow-up, suggesting that development is just starting. It seems we may have seen the end of Ray in this series, regardless of future developments.

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2024-11-18 05:09