Credit: Sony PicturesWhat is going on with the new Ghostbusters sequel? While filming is now underway in London, UK, with the crew sharing cryptic images on Instagram, there has been a lot of back and forth on whether or not one of the franchise’s most beloved icons will be reprising his role as an equally beloved legacy character.
Last year, actor Ernie Hudson revealed that he was “happy” with the script for the new Ghostbusters sequel. Then, after seemingly confirming his involvement, as a recent guest on The Jennifer Hudson Show Hudson said that he wasn’t sure if he would be in it after all.
Related: All Upcoming ‘Ghostbusters’ Movies, TV Shows, Comic Books and More
Well, now, it seems that Hudson is appearing. On NBC’s Today show last week, the actor gave a far more promising update when asked if he’d be reprising his role as Ghostbuster Winston Zeddemore in the upcoming film. Here’s what he said:
“I think so. I mean, my representatives say it’s all happening. They’re measuring me for suits and sending me scripts, but I’m like, yeah, but, you know, I haven’t signed.”
Related: ‘Ghostbusters 4’ Casting News Suggests Sequel Could Hint at Multiverse
No one knows what’s been going on behind the scenes, but it’s possible that Hudson wasn’t initially offered a big enough role in the film, despite being side-lined in the original two films, something he opened up about recently on The Howard Stern Wrap Up Show.
Arguably, he was also side-lined in Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021), as he only has a small role alongside Bill Murray (Peter Venkman) and Dan Aykroyd (Ray Stantz) during the third act. However, a post-credits scene suggests that Winston has a big future ahead in the franchise.
Related: Female Ghostbuster Makes Surprise Return In New ‘Ghostbusters’ Trailer
In fact, that ending was so promising that Hudson recently said he had some interesting ideas about where the franchise could go, and also said that Winston’s new “power” — his wealth, as revealed in the 2021 sequel — opens up many possibilities for the character.
He also appears in the new asymmetrical video game Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed (2022), and serves as narrator in the new trailer for virtual reality game Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord (2023). So, if there has indeed been some back-and-forth negotiation between Hudson and the creators of the new Ghostbusters sequel, then why?
More importantly, does this back and forth speak to a much bigger problem for the film? It seems that the script is still in the middle of being worked, yet it’s presumably already started filming…
Related: ‘Ghostbusters 4’ Could Be Gearing Up to Open the Multiverse
While we all wait for 100% confirmation of Hudson’s return, the new Ghostbusters sequel will definitely see the return of Ghostbusters: Afterlife stars Celeste O’Conner (Lucky), Carrie Coon (Callie), McKenna Grace (Phoebe), Finn Wolfhard (Trevor), Logan Kim (Podcast), and Paul Rudd (Gary Grooberson).
As per the Ghostbusters/Sony Pictures website, here’s the synopsis for Ghostbusters: Afterlife:
From director Jason Reitman and producer Ivan Reitman, comes the next chapter in the original Ghostbusters universe. In Ghostbusters: Afterlife, when a single mom and her two kids arrive in a small town, they begin to discover their connection to the original ghostbusters and the secret legacy their grandfather left behind. The film is written by Jason Reitman & Gil Kenan.
Related: ‘Ghostbusters 4’ Could Wipe One of the Sequels From Canon
Ghostbusters: Afterlife stars McKenna Grace (Phoebe), Logan Kim (Podcast), Celeste O’Connor (Lucky), Finn Wolfhard (Trevor), Carrie Coon (Callie), Annie Potts (Janine Melnitz), Sigourney Weaver (Dana Barrett), Paul Rudd (Gary Grooberson), Olivia Wilde (Gozer the Gozerian), JK Simmons (Ivo Shandor), Bill Murray (Dr. Peter Venkman), Dan Aykroyd (Dr. Ray Stantz), and Ernie Hudson (Winston Zeddemore).
Ghostbusters 4 (2023) will be released on December 20, 2023.
Related: ‘Ghostbusters’ Netflix Reboot Will Be “Weirder” Than Anything We’ve Seen
Are you feeling confident about the new Ghostbusters sequel, or does it sound like some last minute changes are being made already? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!