Nostalgia is in full swing this summer, the right time to delve back into the movies that we loved as kids. It’s been nearly four decades since Ghostbusters was in theaters, and after one disappointing reboot attempt in 2016, the franchise emerges with a true canonical sequel with Ghostbusters: Afterlife, helmed by Jason Reitman, son of original director Ivan Reitman. On paper, there couldn’t be a better person for the job of securing the franchise’s legacy.
Taking a page out of Stranger Things, this Ghostbusters is squarely focused on a younger generation battling the paranormal. While Bill Murray, Dan Akroyd, Ernie Hudson, and Sigourney Weaver are all back reprising their roles, the film is about kids played by Finn Wolfhard and McKenna Grace, with Carrie Coon as their mother. It’s suggested that Coon’s character has a connection to the original team. Paul Rudd plays teacher Mr. Grooberson, who is something of a ghostbusters super fan.
This is still going to be a tough sell, I think. It’s possible Ghostbusters had its moment back in the ’80s and audiences just aren’t into it anymore. The sweet spot is probably JJ Abrams’ Super 8, which was both Amblin-esque nostalgia and a fun monster movie. Whether Ghostbusters: Afterlife can live up to the classic, we’ll find out on November 11th.
