‘Ghostbusters 2020’: Dan Aykroyd Set to Return to the 1989 Follow-up

2016’s Ghostbusters was an atrocious “sequel” to the original 1984 movie of the same name. In an effort to erase that mistake, Dan Aykroyd wants in on the direct sequel to 1989’s Ghostbusters II.

Aykroyd’s character, Ray Stantz, is in for a glorious return to the franchise—at least, according to the actor himself during a guest spot on The Joe Rogan Experience (via The Hollywood Reporter). Aykroyd has always been open to playing the character again; and now, it looks like he’s one step closer to inking it.

“I’m not in the pictures so much anymore. We’ve got the Ghostbusters movie that we’re working on now and I will have to be performing in that,” Aykroyd said. “Ivan Reitman’s son Jason has written a new movie called, well, it’s gonna be Ghostbusters, the third movie. It will be all, most of the original people and then young stars.”

Sony has been developing Ghostbusters 2020, the direct follow-up to the 1989 sequel. Jason Reitman is currently attached to the film, continuing his father Ivan’s work.

Based off of the older Reitman’s story for the two Ghostbusters movies, Jason Reitman’s updated version will feature a new breed of ghost exterminators who will have to watch and learn as the old guards show how it’s done. The movie stars Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, and McKenna Grace.

Sigourney Weaver has previously expressed interest to reprise the role of Dana Barrett, while Aykroyd hopes that Bill Murray would soon jump in the ship too.

As for the third Ghostbusters’ story, the younger Reitman said that it will be a direct continuation of Ghostbusters II, with the events of the 2016 gender-bended reboot completely written out of existence. Despite that, however, Aykroyd still believes that the 2016 Ghostbusters starring Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones was a decent film.

“Those girls were superb. But, I should’ve been sitting there as a producer watching costs a little bit more,” Aykroyd said, echoing his 2017 sentiments on director Paul Feig’s overspending.

Ghostbusters 2020 is slated for a July 10, 20202 release date.