Ernie Hudson Hopes for Bigger Role in Future ‘Ghostbusters’ Projects

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As a dedicated fan of the ’80s film phenomenon that is Ghostbusters, I was thrilled to see the original crew reunited in 2021’s Ghostbusters: Afterlife. The excitement didn’t end there; we were treated to more ghost-busting adventures last year with Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. Though it wasn’t a blockbuster hit, our esteemed actor Ernie Hudson remains optimistic about the future of this beloved franchise and hopes for an expanded role as the storylines unfold.

In an interview with ScreenRant during the WGA Awards, Hudson (who plays Winston Zeddemore) expressed his desire for a larger role in future Ghostbusters productions. To date, Winston has been a dependable character, but he hasn’t had many leading roles since joining Ray, Egon, and Peter halfway through the initial movie. “I hope to see Winston taking charge of the teams at this point,” Hudson said, further expressing:

I believe the studio is primarily concentrating on family-oriented projects, which is commendable, but I’d also enjoy seeing Winston spearhead a separate team for more diverse ventures. It sounds exciting! I don’t want his future to be limited to sitting in an office. Instead, I’d like him to take on challenges similar to the original films, where he can get his hands dirty and really give it his all.

After the incidents depicted in Ghostbusters II, Winston developed into a thriving entrepreneur who remained unapologetic about his supernatural history. In the finale of Afterlife, he repurchased the old firehouse and revamped Ecto-1, and by the time Frozen Empire arrived, he was not only funding the Ghostbusters but also establishing a paranormal research and innovation lab led by Dr. Lars Pinfield. Despite this, he was always ready to wear his proton pack again and rejoin the action when needed, demonstrating that Winston still possesses plenty of energy for ghost-busting exploits.

How Winston Zeddemore Could Fit Into the Future of the ‘Ghostbusters’ Franchise

Although it seems unlikely that a live-action movie exclusively featuring Winston Zeddemore will be made, there’s still room for his character to take center stage in future Ghostbusters projects. For instance, Netflix has approved a 3D animated Ghostbusters series, and since plot details are currently unknown, it’s possible that Hudson’s ambition of leading his own team could be realized within this new venture.

2024 ended with an exciting announcement for cinema enthusiasts like me: Netflix and Sony are teaming up to produce a fresh animated Ghostbusters movie! This upcoming project is rumored to stand independently from the upcoming series, leaving us wondering where it’ll fit into the storyline. If director Kris Hearn decides to put Hudson back in the spotlight, he could once again take center stage.

To put it simply, the Ghostbusters IP has yet to turn into a ghost itself, leaving numerous opportunities for Hudson’s future endeavors. A new Frozen Empire sequel is being developed, but until then, catch the original on Netflix and Ghostbusters: Afterlife on Starz. Don’t forget to watch our interview with Hudson above, where he talks about his enduring affection for the franchise.

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2025-02-17 20:05