According to a new rumor, Ghostbusters 2020 might be released under the title Ghostbusters: Afterlife. With the upcoming movie serving as a direct sequel to the original Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters II, it has been referred to as Ghostbusters 3 and more commonly as Ghostbusters 2020. Now, Film Studies is reporting sources tell them the upcoming sequel will be released with the Afterlife sub-title, which echoes another report from BadTaste in Italy. The rumor is already generating a lot of discussion online, but as no one involved with the project has yet commented on the reports, it’s important to remember the rumored title is not confirmed.
Fortunately, another recent update on the project is giving longtime fans of the franchise something else to be very excited about, as the /ghostbusters-2020-original-cast-returning/original surviving Ghostbusters will return. Dan Aykroyd recently confirmed Bill Murray will be back in the movie to reprise the role of Peter Venkman; it had previously been revealed Aykroyd would also be in the movie along with Ghostbusters series co-stars Ernie Hudson, Sigourney Weaver, and Annie Potts. As Egon Spengler actor Harold Ramis passed away in 2014, his presence will be missed in the upcoming sequel, but Aykroyd also says the movie will be recognizing the character and paying tribute to the late actor in some way.
Ghostbusters 2020 is directed by Jason Reitman, the son of Ivan Reitman, who directed the original two movies. Jason also co-wrote the screenplay with Monster House scribe Gil Kenan. The new story will introduce new characters as a family moving back home to a small town where they “learn more about who they are and the secrets of the town itself.” Leading the primary cast for the sequel are Carrie Coon (Avengers: Infinity War), Finn Wolfhard (Stranger Things), Mckenna Grace (Designated Survivor), Paul Rudd (Ant-Man and the Wasp), and newcomer Logan Kim. It’s been speculated this new family will be the surviving Spenglers, but this has not been confirmed. The new Ghostbusters movie wrapped production in October.
Director Paul Feig previously attempted to revitalize the Ghostbusters franchise with a controversial reboot in 2016. Though it featured cameo appearances from Murray, Aykroyd, and Hudson, its new cast consisted of Kate McKinnon, Kristen Wiig, Leslie Jones, and Melissa McCarthy. The movie fell short of studio expectations, killing potential plans to make any sequels to continue the rebooted storyline. Recognizing the fan nostalgia for the original movies, Ghostbusters 2020 will be more of a softer reboot, as the story will be set in the same universe as the original movies with plenty of returning characters. It will be seen next summer just how better of a decision it is, at least financially, for Sony to bring the Ghostbusters franchise back to its roots.
Whether it will be sub-titled as Afterlife or not, Ghostbusters 2020 will be released in theaters on July 10, 2020. Ultimately, whatever it’s called, any longtime fan of the Ghostbusters franchise will need to mark that date down. If we’re not counting the 2016 reboot, then this new sequel will be the real Ghostbusters 3 fans have been waiting over three decades for. This report comes to us from Film Studies.
