Though one original star is already confirm to make his way back for the sequel, Sigourney Weaver reveals she won't be in Ghostbusters: Afterlife 2. The next installment in the beloved comedy franchise will pick up from the events of its predecessor, continuing the story of Egon Spengler's descendants, daughter Callie, grandson Trevor and granddaughter Phoebe, as they return to New York City, home of the original Ghostbusters. Carrie Coon, Mckenna Grace and Finn Wolfhard are again leading the cast alongside fellow Ghostbusters: Afterlife stars Logan Kim, Paul Rudd, Celeste O'Connor and Ernie Hudson.

While speaking with Collider to discuss the upcoming psychological drama Master Gardener, Sigourney Weaver was asked about the possibility of her Ghostbusters: Afterlife 2 return. The franchise actor confirmed she would not be back for the upcoming sequel, sharing she wasn't called about it, but offered a good reason for why it makes sense she wouldn't be back. See what Weaver explained below:

No, I mean, I wasn't asked to be in this Ghostbusters, and I think, you know, a little of us goes a long way.

Weaver's Absence Is Actually A Good Sign For Ghostbusters: Afterlife 2

While Weaver may not be returning for the next installment, Ghostbusters: Afterlife 2 won't be without some familiar faces as not only is Hudson reprising his role of Winston Zeddemore, but William Atherton will also be back as Walter Peck. The Die Hard actor memorably played the Environmental Protection Agency inspector in the original Ghostbusters, though wouldn't properly return until 2009's Ghostbusters: The Video Game, which was co-written by creators Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis and served as an unofficial third film.

It's currently unconfirmed whether Aykroyd, Bill Murray or Annie Potts will again return for Ghostbusters: Afterlife 2, save for recent comments from Hudson hinting he would be back working with them. However, given Weaver's return in the previous film was a mid-credits scene largely playing her against Murray, her absence may be a sign that the sequel is looking to avoid the overreliance on nostalgia that divided critics on the 2021 film.

Between outright reviving original villain Gozer to recreating a number of sequences from the first film, the heavy fan service was seen as a hindrance by critics for Ghostbusters: Afterlife taking the franchise in a new direction, even if it was welcomed by franchise fans turned off by the female-led reboot or lackluster 1989 sequel. Rather than looking for a way to squeeze Weaver's Dana into Ghostbusters: Afterlife 2 and let the story unfold organically, co-writer/director Gil Kenan can better balance his inclusion of nostalgia with fresh new directions.

Source: Collider