Dan Aykroyd Doesn’t Expect to Return to the ‘Ghostbusters’ Film Franchise

Who you gonna call for the next Ghostbusters movie? Maybe not franchise mainstays Dan Aykroyd or Bill Murray. It seems as though the two original Ghostbusters may have hung up their proton packs for good, based on Aykroyd’s recent comments in an interview.

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire scared up an impressive $188 million at the box office and even received a haunt attraction at this year’s Halloween Horror Nights. The sequel to Ghostbusters: Afterlife once again reunited the original Ghostbusters with the new generation of Spenglers, furthering the bridge between original fans and newcomers.

When speaking with the New York Post while promoting his History Channel series The UnBelievable With Dan Aykroyd, the actor shared that he doesn’t expect that he or Murray will return for the expected sequel. He said, “I don’t see where they would need us to carry it on. They’ve got a whole new cast, and they’ve got whole new ideas.”

“I think probably they’re going to move on to advancing it beyond the originals, which they should,“ Aykroyd added.

In Gil Kenan’s Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, the Spengler family returns to where it all started – the iconic New York City firehouse – to team up with the original Ghostbusters, who’ve developed a top-secret research lab to take busting ghosts to the next level. But when the discovery of an ancient artifact unleashes an evil force, Ghostbusters, new and old, must join forces to protect their home and save the world from a second Ice Age.

While Dan Aykroyd and Bill Murray are the original Ghostbusters, this news may be for the best as Frozen Empire was too beholden to nostalgia and its cast too sprawling. It’s also worth noting that Aykroyd’s comments don’t mention Ernie Hudson, whose Winston Zeddemore is bankrolling the Spengler family’s new ghostbusting adventures. It feels safe to presume that Hudson will likely return in some capacity if the sequel gets greenlit.

In my review for Bloody Disgusting, I wrote, “Frozen Empire offers familiar set pieces, references, and easter eggs aplenty, but the nostalgia tank is now running on empty.“ And, “That may be enough for some, especially when Frozen Empire pulls out some deep-cut nods. But by the time the mid-credit scene kicks in, solely designed to inspire merchandising sales, it’s more likely to leave you ready for the Ghostbusters to retire in peace.”

Kenan expressed plans for additional films alongside writer-producer Jason Reitman, though no sequel has officially been announced as of yet. Aykroyd’s statements on his return seem as though Ray Stantz and Peter Venkman have retired, but nothing is official, and the actor recently even gave hints about the franchise’s future. 

Stay tuned.