Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is coming to theaters soon, and this is what we know so far about it.
That’s right, they’re coming back – well, at least many of the characters of Ghostbusters: Afterlife are. Announced in 2022, it was confirmed that a Ghostbusters: Afterlife sequel was in the works, further continuing the legacy of the comedy franchise for those who want to find ghosts and bust them. 2021 introduced a new generation to the story, and now, they look to continue it with this sequel.
But, when is this sequel going to be coming out? And who can we expect to return? For all your quandaries about Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, –here is what we know so far about it, and when you can expect it as part of the 2024 movie schedule.
What Is The Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire Release Date?
As of March 2024, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is confirmed to release on March 22, 2024, according to Deadline. It was originally set to come out in December 2023 as part of the 2023 movie release calendar, but was pushed back due to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike. But this just means we’re waiting a little longer for perfection.
Several Stars Are Confirmed To Return
If you were wondering who from the cast of Ghostbusters: Afterlife was confirmed to return in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, we have you covered:
Paul Rudd as Gary Grooberson
A Deadline article from December 2022 regarding Gil Kenan directing the feature said that Paul Rudd and Carrie Coon were also on board to return.
Paul Rudd was a great addition to the Ghostbusters franchise, and while he’s had plenty of training in comedy in many movies, many people now may recognize him as Ant-Man in the MCU. However, it’s still hilarious in anything he does.
Carrie Coon as Callie Spengler
As confirmed above, Carrie Coon is set to come back as Callie Spengler in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. The actress has recently appeared as part of the cast of The Gilded Age, a great HBO series.
Finn Wolfhard as Trevor Spengler
Also, in the Deadline article regarding the release date, it was confirmed that Finn Wolfhard would return to the role of Trevor Spengler. Wolfhard is primarily known for his role in Stranger Things, which is entering Season 5, its final season, in 2025.
Mckenna Grace as Phoebe Spengler
It was first confirmed that one of the main stars, McKenna Grace, was set to come back for the sequel in an interview with Comic Book in October 2022. Grace has appeared in The Handmaid's Tale and the popular Peacock show, A Friend of the Family, among other projects.
Annie Potts as Janine Melnitz
Annie Potts will return as Janine Melnitz, according to that Deadline article regarding the release date. Annie Potts originally appeared in the first Ghostbusters movies, but also has held roles in shows like Young Sheldon, Designing Women and more.
Three Original Ghostbusters Will Return
The cast for Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire has been a little fuzzy when it comes to confirming if the original cast will come back. However, it was confirmed from that Deadline article regarding the release date of who would return:
Bill Murray as Dr. Peter Venkman
Bill Murray will be back as Dr. Peter Venkman. The comedy actor has appeared in various movies during his career, such as Caddyshack, Ed Wood, Little Shop of Horrors, Quick Change and more.
Dan Aykroyd as Dr. Raymond "Ray" Stantz
Dan Aykroyd will be back as Ray Stantz, another original Ghostbuster. The actor gained fame for his time on Saturday Night Live, but made a career out of comedy films like Coneheads, The Blues Brothers, Tommy Boy and so many others. He’s also appeared in several sitcoms, like Home Improvement, The Connors, The Simpsons and more.
Ernie Hudson as Dr. Winston Zeddemore
Ernie Hudson is back as Dr. Winston Zeddemore. The actor has appeared in films like Airheads, Leviathan, The Crow, The Ron Clark Story and more. He also held a major role on the HBO original series, Oz.
Hudson, Murray and Aykroyd were a part of the original four Ghostbusters. The fourth was Harold Ramis, who played Egon Spengler, but he sadly passed away in 2014.
Kumail Nanjiani, Patton Oswalt And More Have Joined The Sequel
Besides former cast members coming back for the sequel, Deadline reported in March 2023 that several stars had joined Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire:
Kumail Nanjiani as Nadeem Razmaadi
Kumail Nanjiani will play Nadeem Razmaadi in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, according to Empire January 2024. The actor has appeared in a variety of movies and TV shows. He was a part of the Eternals cast in 2021, and was the star of the Welcome to Chippendales cast in 2022.
Patton Oswalt as Dr. Hubert Wartzki
In that same Empire article above, it was confirmed that Patton Oswalt would play Dr. Hubert Wartzki in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. Oswalt is a comedian and an actor and has appeared in several shows, like The King of Queens, Brooklyn Nine-Nine and more.
James Acaster as Lars Pinfield
Empire also confirmed that James Acasater would play Lars Pinfield in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. Acaster is a comedian who has appeared on several radio shows, but also appeared in the 2021 film Cinderella.
Emily Alyn Lind
It’s currently unknown who Emily Alyn Lind will play in the new film, but the actress is primarily known for her role on Revenge and on Gossip Girl on Max.
Talk about some incredible new additions. I can’t wait to see them in action.
Check Out The Trailer For Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
Did you ever wonder what New York City would look like if it was covered in ice? Then you’ll get that answer from the teaser trailer to Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. This first look gives us a peek into the characters that we know and love on their next adventure, as well as some sick ghost-fighting action.
The Sequel Will Take Place In NYC Once Again And Feature A “Death Chill”
As reported by Deadline in June 2022, the plan for the sequel is to head back to the city that never sleeps. It’s been some time since we’ve been in New York City, and while there are plenty of movies and television shows that take place in the wonderful world of NYC, I think it’s perfect to return to where it all started – that dang firehouse.
This was even further confirmed when the trailer released and we could clearly see that we were back in New York City – with a sheen of ice covering the entire town.
We also have some key details regarding the plot, according to the article from Deadline regarding the release date. The film will follow Calli, Phoebe and Trever once again, this time back in New York City when a supposed “death chill” has taken over the streets after an ancient artifact unleashes an evil force over the people of Manhattan. It’s up to them and the rest of the Ghostbusters to find a way to end it before it goes too far.
The Ghostbusters Animated Series Was "A Point Of Reference” For Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
When it comes to Ghostbusters, there’s a fine line between comedy and corny, and it takes skill to create another well-told story in the world of these spirits. But it seems that one of the actors, Kumail Nanjiani, is telling fans to “be excited” for this upcoming movie if you like The Real Ghosbusters.
Nanjiani revealed in a Twitter post that the filmmakers used the show, The Real Ghostbusters, as a “point of reference” for the film and that they basically wanted to make a longer episode version of that, which made him so excited:
Also I am a huge fan of The Real Ghostbusters (the animated series) and that show was a point of reference for this movie. The filmmakers wanted to make a long episode of the animated series. So if you love that show as I do, be excited.November 9, 2023
I think Ghostbusters fans are going to be quite happy with all of this.
Gil Kenan Directed The Feature
As mentioned in the Deadline article above regarding the director, Gil Kenan directed Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. Per the Deadline’s report, Kenan co-wrote the film with former director of Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Jason Reitman, but also took on directing duties as well.
Kenan talked about how eager he was to take on this role, saying that it was an “honor” to do so:
It’s an absolute honor to pick up the proton pack and step behind the camera for the next chapter of the Spengler family saga. I just wish I could go back to 1984 and tell the kid in the sixth row of the Mann Valley West that one day he was going to get to direct a Ghostbusters film.
Jason Reitman Served As A Writer And Executive Producer
While Jason Reitman, director of Ghostbusters: Afterlife and the son of Ivan Reitman, who directed the original Ghostbusters movie, isn’t going to be directing this sequel, according to the Deadline article about Kenan taking over the spot Reitman instead worked as a writer and producer.
Based on the statement included in Deadline's article, it sounds like Reitman is excited to continue working on the film, as he expressed his gratitude for having gotten to work on the first movie, but also expressed confidence in Kenan's abilities as a director:
A few years ago, my father handed me the keys to Ecto-1, and together we made Ghostbusters: Afterlife. Words will never express how grateful I am to have made a film with my father by my side. It’s now time to hand those keys to my creative partner and fellow Ghostbuster Gil Kenan, a brilliant director who will keep the Spengler spirit alive. I can only hope to provide him the same producorial care and support that my father showed me.
It’s a shame to see Reitman step away from directing, but I have faith that this team is still going to make a movie that is worth watching – and I’m sure it’s going to make me smile and laugh just as much as any other Ghostbusters film.
Just reading about all of this has me so excited for the movie. I have a feeling that this film is going to be even better than the first – and just as heartfelt and funny as you can imagine. Here’s to the next one. Now all I need is to find my Ghostbusters jumpsuit.
