Sony Pictures has released the first official trailer for Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, a direct sequel to the 2021 film that introduced audiences to the next generation of Ghostbusters (e.g., Spengler’s daughter and grandkids). Jason Reitman, the son of director Ivan Reitman, returned to produce and co-write the new movie, which is scheduled to release in theaters on March 22, 2024.
Trailer highlights:
- Ghost traps can fly now (drone version)
- Slimer and Mini-Pufts
- Janine Melnitz is back as a Ghostbuster
- Classic locations include the Ghostbusters firehouse (Firehouse, Hook & Ladder Company 8), NY Public Library
- Big bad is a horned creature that can breathe ice
Returning Ghostbusters:
- Ray Stantz (Dan Aykroyd)
- Peter Venkman (Bill Murray)
- Winston Zeddemore (Ernie Hudson)
- Janine Melnitz (Annie Potts)
New generation of Ghostbusters:
- Callie Spengler (Carrie Coon)
- Trevor Spengler (Finn Wolfhard)
- Phoebe Spengler (Mckenna Grace)
- Gary Grooberson (Paul Rudd)
Synopsis:
In Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, the Spengler family returns to where it all started – the iconic New York City firehouse – to team up with the original Ghostbusters, who’ve developed a top-secret research lab to take busting ghosts to the next level. But when the discovery of an ancient artifact unleashes an evil force, Ghostbusters new and old must join forces to protect their home and save the world from a second Ice Age.
Quotes from a new Empire feature:
- “Winston’s a wealthy guy now, and he’s funding research into new technology and the science behind ghostbusting,” Hudson tells Empire in our world-exclusive Frozen Empire issue. He won’t be stuck behind the scenes, though. “When the world is threatened… Who you gonna call? He suits up with the rest of them.”
- “Ray’s been retired!” explains Aykroyd. “He’s got fitness problems, insurance problems – Winston’s the shot-caller now and he decides Ray should step back from the ghostbusting frontline and just be an advisor. Ray does not like this. Gozer’s gone, but there’s an equally terrible threat emerging from Queens – by way of the Indus Valley – and Ray wants to be out there, driving the Cadillac.”
- “Bill had always been hesitant [about coming back to Ghostbusters], and for good reason: his bar for greatness is very high,” admits Jason Reitman, who helmed Afterlife, and produces and co-writes Frozen Empire with its director Gil Kenan. “But he loves Gil and has history with him [on 2008’s City Of Ember], so there was no question he’d be here [for Frozen Empire].”