Sony Pictures Animation has recently stirred excitement among fans by teasing an upcoming Ghostbusters series on Netflix. This announcement comes on the heels of the successful release of “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire,” which topped the box office with a $45.5 million opening weekend. Despite the film’s hefty $100 million budget, the franchise’s future looks promising with new projects in the pipeline.
Director Gil Kenan, who helmed “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire,” confirmed that a new animated series is in active development at Netflix. This revelation came during his appearance on the podcast “A Trip To The Movies With Alex Zane,” where he shared insights into the progress of the series. Kenan expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “I just watched an entire art presentation for the show. I’ve seen the sets and the environments, and I just saw my first glimpse at a world of supernatural characters as realized by our brilliant creative team.” He assured fans that the project is in “full-development,” with scripts being written and art being created.
This news aligns with a 2022 report from Variety, which mentioned a collaboration between Netflix, Sony’s Ghost Corps. Inc, Jason Reitman, and Kenan on an untitled animated project. The new series will be the third animated adaptation in the Ghostbusters franchise, following “The Real Ghostbusters” (1986-1991) and “Extreme Ghostbusters” (1997). Both previous series have left a lasting impact on fans, with “The Real Ghostbusters” influencing the tone of “Ghostbusters II” and “Extreme Ghostbusters” introducing a new generation of characters.
Kenan hinted at the potential for more film sequels, expressing his desire to see the Ghostbusters return for another adventure. He and co-writer Jason Reitman are exploring new storytelling avenues, likely referring to the upcoming animated series. The recent live-action films by Kenan and Reitman have drawn inspiration from the animated series, making the new Netflix project a logical step in expanding the franchise.
Sony Pictures and Ghost Corps recently hosted the first annual Ecto-Fest celebration, which featured announcements and teases about the future of the Ghostbusters franchise. The event included a behind-the-scenes featurette with Ernie Hudson, who revealed that the Sony lot would honor the late Ivan Reitman by naming a street “Ivan Reitman Way.” Hudson hinted at more Ghostbusting adventures to come, adding, “I’m not allowed to tell you much more than that, but rest assured, we have a lot of Ghostbusting ahead.”
The event also showcased a limited edition Ivan Reitman action figure by Hasbro, with one figure to be auctioned for charity. Additionally, updates were provided on the Spengler Proton Pack HasLab project, which will feature real metal parts and a Spengler Journal with double the expected page count.
Sony Pictures VR head Jake Zim, along with special guest Logan Kim, unveiled the “Ghostbusters VR Academy,” a two-story VR arcade experience. This installation will allow players to train as Ghostbusters and drive the Ecto-1 in a simulated joyride. The VR experience will be available at over 400 Hologate locations worldwide later this year.
Dan Aykroyd also made a virtual appearance, emphasizing the importance of the Ghostbusters story and teasing future developments. He introduced Jason Reitman and Gil Kenan, who provided updates on various projects, including the “Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed” console video game and a new in-canon comic series by Dark Horse Comics.
Reitman and Kenan also announced an animated feature film collaboration with Sony Pictures Animation. This project, which was dear to Ivan Reitman’s heart, will explore the world of the unknown through animation. Chris Prynoski and Jennifer Kluska are set to direct, with Brenda Hsueh writing the script. While details remain scarce, the film is expected to introduce new characters.
The duo further revealed that Sony and Ghost Corps have partnered with Netflix for a new animated Ghostbusters series. This series will explore an unexplored era of the Ghostbusters canon, promising to tell untold stories while introducing new characters and settings.
Finally, Reitman and Kenan teased the next live-action Ghostbusters film, currently in the writing stage. The new film, codenamed “Firehouse,” will pick up where “Afterlife” left off, with the Ecto-1 returning to the firehouse in New York City. This announcement signals a return to the franchise’s roots, promising more ghostbusting adventures in the iconic setting.
As the Ghostbusters franchise continues to expand across various media, fans can look forward to a wealth of new content. With animated series, films, comics, and VR experiences on the horizon, the future of Ghostbusters looks bright and full of supernatural excitement.
