With the wild success of 2021’s “Ghostbusters: Afterlife,” it’s no surprise Sony Pictures is game to make a sequel. While some familiar faces will be returning for “Ghostbusters: Firehouse” (working title), it seems Sigourney Weaver will not be one of them.
“Afterlife” is set three decades after 1989’s “Ghostbusters II,” and revolves around Egon Spengler (Harold Ramis)’s estranged family inheriting a farm he left them in Oklahoma. This plotline allowed the creators to bring back legacy characters while also introducing new ones.
One of these legacy characters being Weaver’s Dana Barrett/Zuul, who had a cameo in “Afterlife.” This, of course, sparked rumors she would also be in the upcoming “Ghostbusters: Firehouse.” Unfortunately, during a press tour for he upcoming film “Master Gardner,” Wever put these rumblings to rest. When asked if she would be up in the next installment, she joked that she would be playing Slimer’s mother.
“No, I mean, I wasn’t asked to be in this Ghostbusters, and I think, you know, a little of us goes a long way,” Weaver said. Which is a very clear no to the upcoming sequel, and kind of sounds like she is done with the overall franchise. Plenty of people feel many different ways about the current requel trend. But, normally, the overall goal is to move away from legacy characters and pass the baton to the new one.
While plot details for “Ghostbusters: Firehouse” are fairly limited, we do know a few things. An after credits scene in “Afterlife” teased Winston (Ernie Hudson) returning the Ecto-1 to the firehouse headquarters in New York City. During this scene, we also see a red light flashing on the ecto-containment. Meaning something is in there. The film’s director/co-writer Jason Reitman also dropped a heavy hint at what villains they may face this time.
“There is a lot of time and opportunity for Vigo the Carpathian to make his return,” Reitman said. “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.”
While Reitman will be stepping away as director for this installment, his co-writer and producer Gil Kenan will be taking over. So it’s safe to say they should be on the same page about the film’s direction.
“Firehouse” will see the return of a lot of on screen talent as well including McKenna Grace as Phoebe, Finn Wolfhard as Trevor, and Carrie Coon as Callie. Respectively, playing Egon’s granddaughter, grandson, and daughter. It has also been confirmed that Paul Rudd will be back as the kids’ science teacher, Grooberson. Alongside Celeste O’Connor as Trevor’s friend Lucky.
Of the legacy characters, now that Weaver is out, Hudson is the only one confirmed to be returning. It is still unknown if Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Annie Potts will be coming back. And of course we are all secretly hoping for the beloved Rick Moranis to come back. New faces include Kumail Nanjiani (“The Big Sick”), Patton Oswalt (“Ratatouille”), James Acaster (“Cinderella”), and Emily Alyn Lind (“Doctor Sleep”).
“Ghostbusters: Firehouse” has been filming since March, and has a December 20th, 2023 release date. We’ll keep you posted on updates about this project as they develop.
