More Ghostbusters Movies On The Way But Does Anyone Care?

Gil Kenan, who directed Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire and co-wrote Afterlife, claims that he and Jason Reitman have another movie in the pipeline. While he didn’t directly comment on a new movie, he claimed that they’re working on more “…stories on the big screen.” That comment seems to imply more feature films, possibly turning their sequel films into a full trilogy. 

Even more surprising is the fact that the Ghostbusters franchise seems to be expanding into a full-blown MCU-style universe. In addition to confirming that a new movie was on the way, Gil Kenan claimed that he and Reitman are currently producing an animated show for Netflix. He also told fans that it would directly tie into the stories of the films. 

While the Kenan and Reitman Ghostbusters movies haven’t been flops, they haven’t met the financial expectations of a massive, beloved franchise either. Afterlife, which included new cast members Paul Rudd, McKenna Grace, Finn Wolfhard, and Carrie Coon earned $204 million on a $75 million budget. The latest sequel, Frozen Empire, added Patton Oswalt, James Acaster, Kumail Nanjianai, and Emily Alan Lind earned another $201 million on a significantly increased $100 million budget. 

The modern Ghostbusters sequels have also failed to garner the fan devotion that the original 1984 has managed to keep alive for decades. Both movies failed to win over critics, with Afterlife largely being considered unremarkable, while Frozen Empire was more heavily panned. While neither movie generated fan outrage, they didn’t build a dedicated following. 

Of course, the legacy sequels aren’t the first attempt to resurrect the franchise with 2016’s Ghostbusters: Answer the Call failing to recapture the magic of the original as well. Featuring an all-female cast of new characters, the reboot became embroiled in the culture wars, adding to its divisive nature. It was also a disappointment at the box office, earning $229 million on a budget of $144 million. 

Given the franchise’s diminished reputation and financial gains, it’s surprising to see so much being invested in new Ghostbusters projects. Many fans expected Frozen Empire to, at least temporarily, end the franchise or cause a drastic change in direction. But, it seems that the franchise is doubling down on the vision of Kenan and Reitman, giving them a full series and at least considering the idea of a third movie. 

It’s hard to say what the next Ghostbusters will look like, with some speculating it will try to outgrow its nostalgic focus on the original’s cast. Creating an interconnected universe could add complexity to the plot, but also risks overextending a franchise with very straightforward roots. The shared universe model has become a point of contention for fans, and the struggling franchise may be jumping on the trend at the worst possible time.

Source: The Direct