The first trailer for the eagerly-anticipated sequel to Ghostbusters: Afterlife was released by Sony on Wednesday, showcasing a return to the iconic firehouse setting and promising an exciting continuation of the beloved franchise. Directed by Gil Kenan, the film is set for a theatrical release on March 29, 2024, and follows the success of Jason Reitman’s 2021 movie, Afterlife, which breathed new life into the series.
The cast of the previous film, including Paul Rudd, Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace, Carrie Coon, Logan Kim, and Celeste O’Connor, are set to reprise their roles in the sequel. Excitingly, they will be joined by franchise newcomers Kumail Nanjiani, Patton Oswalt, James Acaster, and Emily Alyn Lind.
Kenan, known for his directorial work on “A Boy Called Christmas,” co-wrote the script for the Afterlife sequel with Reitman. The film is produced by Jason Blumenfeld and Reitman, while Kenan and JoAnn Perritano serve as executive producers.
The new project is significant as it marks the first film in the Ghostbusters franchise without the involvement of Ivan Reitman, who tragically passed away in February 2022. Reitman played a pivotal role in the franchise, having directed the original Ghostbusters film in 1984 and its subsequent sequel, as well as producing the later movies in the series, including Afterlife, which was helmed by his son.
At CinemaCon, Sony introduced exclusive footage from the Afterlife sequel, providing a sneak peek at the characters wearing Ghostbusters uniforms and residing at the firehouse in New York City. Original franchise stars Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Ernie Hudson made appearances in Afterlife, and Hudson teased earlier this year that they would all be returning, as would Annie Potts, their co-star in the initial film and 1989’s Ghostbusters II.
In a YouTube interview, Hudson expressed his excitement about reuniting with his co-stars and the new cast, saying, “It’s great to be back with Danny and Bill and Annie Potts and the new cast. It’s been 40 years — it just feels like family.”
Fans of the Ghostbusters franchise are eagerly awaiting the release of the Afterlife sequel, which promises to deliver a thrilling continuation of the beloved series. With the return of iconic characters and the introduction of new faces, the film is poised to appeal to both longtime fans and a new generation of Ghostbusters enthusiasts. As the release date approaches, the anticipation for the sequel continues to build, and audiences are eager to witness the next chapter in the Ghostbusters saga.
