'Ghostbusters: Afterlife' Sequel Reportedly Being Written; Return of Vigo the Carpathian and Ecto-1A Teased

Heads up! This post contains spoilers pertaining to Ghostbusters: Afterlife! If you’ve yet to see the film, I’d suggest clicking over to another article!

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 15: Actor Ernie Hudson attends the GHOSTBUSTERS: AFTERLIFE World Premiere on November 15, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Sony Pictures)

In Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Ernie Hudson once again suit up, strap on the proton packs, and became their iconic characters, made famous in the 1984 original. While it’s safe to bet that it’s been a number of years since both Murray and Aykroyd had dressed in their khaki garb, Hudson is a different story. Attending comic and fan conventions, proudly wearing a flightsuit with “Zeddemore” written across the chest, he’s been the flag bearer and likely the most devoted to fans and the franchise over the last decade or so.

 

In a new interview with Yahoo, Hudson talks about his return to the role, the future of the franchise, and the character of Winston Zeddemore getting his due. Speaking of Afterlife, Hudson touched on finally coming together with the original cast members, along with meeting the new stars of the film.

“This movie has been such a big part of my life for almost 40 years. It’s something I’ve never been able to get away from — not that I’ve tried — but the fans have always kept Winston at the forefront and really connected to him. To be on the set and to see the guys in the jumpsuits, Sigourney Weaver, Annie Potts and to meet this new cast, I realised this is something that’s going to move into the future. It’s nice to have it finally resolved.”

For many, Afterlife‘s portrayal of the Zeddemore character is one of the highlights of the film. Not only does he seem to be the most financially successful of the three, but as he stands alongside Aykroyd and Murray near the end of the film, he’s treated as an equal. This is a drastic change when compared to how both the actor and character have been left off of posters, select toylines, and promotional tie-ins over the years.

Photo source: Sony Pictures/Vanity Fair

“Bill, Dan, and Harold were so inviting and welcoming but, while I don’t know this for a fact, it felt like the studio always wanted to make sure it was the three guys on the posters. It was the fans who really embraced Winston and I’ve talked to a few people at the studio who felt almost a little surprised by that. I credit the fans for forcing me to take another look at Ghostbusters.” 

Much like the fans, Ernie had also been waiting for the eventual Ghostbusters III, or as it’s known now, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, but after waiting for more than 30 years, it was something Hudson didn’t believe was happening until he was on set.

“For the past 30 years, they’ve been talking about doing another one, but it never seemed to happen. They’d announce I’m in it, but nobody would’ve talked to me about it, so I lost faith it would ever really happen. Then I got a call from Jason (Reitman), and I was still a little skeptical. It wasn’t until we got on set that I thought: ‘Okay, we’re really doing this.” 

In Afterlife, not only is Winston given even screentime with his Ghostbusters brothers, but the character is also part of an end credit scene, that seems to hint at Winston possibly taking over the franchise, with many assuming he could be sort of a mentor to a new team. Although the scene starts with Winston talking to Janine about his family and success, it closes with him wheeling the rusting Ecto-1 back into the firehouse and a light on the containment unit lighting up. Speaking of the end scene, Hudson said:

“Jason, in his own way, gave a tribute to Winston and that was very special to me,” adding “Clearly it’s a new family’s movie so I don’t know if any of the old Ghostbusters can be major players – but being involved as mentors in some way would be a lot of fun.”

When it comes to the next Ghostbusters sequel, Hudson says “I believe they’re writing the new one,” and seems excited that Winston may finally get his due.

“He understands the Ghostbusters better than anyone. He’s almost like Sam Jackson’s character [Nick Fury] in the Marvel Universe. Whatever comes out of it, I’d love to see Winston connected to it.” 

And whilst Ghostbusters: Afterlife brought back Gozer the Gozerian, the Terror Dogs and Mr. Stay Puft (mainly in the form of Mini Pufts), a sequel could bring back another of the Ghostbusters' old foes!

“Death is but a door, time is but a window, I’ll be back.”

Although Ghostbusters: Afterlife has tons of Ghostbusters Easter eggs, there are very few throwbacks to Ghostbusters II. Asides from Ray Stantz’s Ray’s Occult Books store and the dancing toaster, Afterlife never goes out of its way to help remind fans of the Ghostbusters’ News Years’ battle against Vigo the Carpathian, although Afterlife director Jason Reitman - who had a part in Ghostbusters 2 - has reassured fans that the events of Ghostbusters II haven’t been retconned.

Given Ghostbusters II is still canon, does that mean we could eventually see the return of Vigo the Carpathian? I mean, after all, it wasn’t as if Afterlife didn’t bring back several of the first film’s scariest spooks!

In a new interview with the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Reitman teased how we might see the Sorrow of Moldavia, Vigo the Butch return:

“There is a lot of time and opportunity for Vigo The Carpathian to make his return. Look, are you saying that’s the only painting of Vigo The Carpathian? Maybe, he’s riding a horse in another one, maybe, impaling someone in another one.”

Maybe he'll have his kitty this time! Gozer has Terror Dogs, why not Terror Cats?

In an interview with Uproxx, the director was also asked about having the Ecto-1 in the film, rather than the Ecto-1A as seen in Ghostbusters II, with Reitman answering:

“I wish I could talk to you about that.“

Further pressed for an answer, the director slightly elaborated:

“Well, I’m just saying that’s a plot that is not in this film, and we have ideas moving forward.“

Ghostbusters: Afterlife is now playing exclusively in theaters.

Original source: Ghostbusters News.