Movies | Ernie Hudson's Ghostbusters Storyline Idea Is Pretty Brilliant
Spoiler Alert: The following article contains plot details for Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire and the Ghostbusters franchise.
Overview: Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
Released in 2024, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire continues the beloved Ghostbusters saga, bringing back a mix of new and familiar faces. With Ernie Hudson's Winston Zeddemore financing much of the Ghostbusters' research and navigating legal challenges, the Spengler family returns to the New York City firehouse to join forces with the original Ghostbusters. Together, they must stop an evil force from unleashing a second Ice Age. The film features an impressive ensemble cast including Hudson, Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Paul Rudd, and Mckenna Grace. However, one notable absence is Rick Moranis, who declined to reprise his role as Louis Tully.
Ernie Hudson's Vision for a Standalone Winston Zeddemore Story
In a recent interview with ComicBook, Ernie Hudson elaborated on his vision for a standalone Winston Zeddemore story. Hudson suggested exploring the implications of ghosts influencing people's thoughts and emotions rather than merely physical phenomena. Drawing on his grandmother's belief that spirits could impact emotions, Hudson proposed a narrative where Zeddemore leads a team to rid a town of malevolent spirits that instill negative ideas and behaviors.
"It's not just what happens in the ghost world, but how the ghost world is throwing off the physical world," Hudson said. He hopes to see Winston investigate how these spirits affect emotions and potentially help people transition rather than simply trap them.
Hudson's storyline idea is especially brilliant because it builds upon themes already explored in Ghostbusters II. In that film, the team discovered that a river of "mood slime" was affecting New Yorkers' emotions, making them hostile and aggressive. Expanding on this concept, a Winston standalone movie could delve deeper into how ghosts and spirits impact emotions and behaviors, creating a fascinating exploration of the supernatural's psychological effects.
Rick Moranis' Absence from Ernie Hudson's Perspective
Despite efforts from producers and fellow actors to convince him otherwise, Rick Moranis chose not to return for Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. Moranis, who played the lovable Louis Tully, has largely stepped away from acting since 2006. According to Hudson, producers even offered Moranis more money than his own contract, but Moranis ultimately declined.
Hudson explained that Moranis's absence was a personal choice: "I talked to Ivan Reitman before he transitioned, who I know had spent a lot of time trying to convince Rick. I know that the other guys have talked to him, and I'm not sure why. He just said no."
While this leaves a gap in the nostalgia factor, Hudson remains optimistic that the Ghostbusters legacy will endure and that the emotional connection seen in Ghostbusters II could easily be expanded upon either as a subplot in Ghostbusters 6 or in a Winston standalone movie.
Mixed Reception and Future Prospects
The mixed reception and underwhelming box office performance of Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire pose challenges to the franchise's future. Critics highlighted the film's overly serious tone and struggles to balance the original and new cast members. Made on a $100 million budget, it earned around $195.3 million worldwide, meaning it likely did not break even. Despite this, Ernie Hudson remains hopeful that the Ghostbusters legacy will endure.
A potential Ghostbusters 6 could explore a more standalone storyline with Winston Zeddemore or focus on the Spengler family. However, such sequels may come with reduced budgets, casting constraints, and a new focus on originality. We’re definitely hoping to see an exploration of Ernie’s idea to be honest.
With Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire delivering mixed reviews, the franchise stands at a crossroads. Whether through a Winston Zeddemore standalone story or a new Spengler family saga, the next Ghostbusters installment will need to strike a careful balance between nostalgia and innovation to win over both new and old audiences. Ultimately, the spirit of the Ghostbusters franchise lies in its ability to mix humor, adventure, and camaraderie, and any future film should stay true to those core values.
