Ghostbusters: Afterlife is the upcoming sequel to, and attempted soft reboot of, the 1980s classic sci-fi comedy Ghostbusters. The film follows a new generation of characters who discover a connection to the original Ghostbusters and take up the mantle in order to combat supernatural entities. It also incorporates several of the characters from the original film.
Because the movie involves both a whole new cast of younger characters and actors from the original film returning to reprise their iconic roles, it features a mix of relative newcomers and veteran actors.
Carrie Coon - The Post (2017)
In Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Carrie Coon plays Callie, Phoebe and Trevor's mom, and the daughter of original Ghostbuster, Egon Spengler. The character is a single mom trying to connect with her kids in a new town. The trailers for the film have set her up as the classic mother who is concerned about her kids because they do not fit in, much like the mom from E.T. and other nostalgic sci-fi films.
Coon can also be seen in The Post playing the real-life journalist, Meg Greenfield. It's a film inspired by true events that follows a team of reporters at The Washington Post as they attempt to publish the Pentagon Papers. Similar to the movie Spotlight, the film follows the reporting of the events, rather than depicting the events themselves.
Sigourney Weaver - The Defenders (2017)
In Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Sigourney Weaver will be reprising her role of Dana Barrett from the original movie. Dana was the first customer of the original Ghostbusters and love interest of Peter Venkman, so it only makes sense that she will be returning for this film, presumably allowing audiences to see where her relationship with Venkman stands over 30 years later.
The Defenders is a Netflix Marvel series that brings together Luke Cage, Daredevil, Jessica Jones, and Iron Fist to fight the villainous organization The Hand and its leader, the intelligent and powerful Alexandra, played by Weaver. The group is the smaller-scale equivalent of The Avengers, finally uniting all of the Marvel characters from the various series.
McKenna Grace - I, Tonya (2017)
McKenna Grace will play Pheobe, granddaughter of one of the original Ghostbusters in the upcoming movie. She is the black sheep of the family, as she is more like her grandpa than her mother. However, the discovery of the Ghostbusters equipment may just give Pheobe a place where she fits in.
The sports comedic drama I, Tonya, tells the true story of ice skater Tonya Harding, her life, and her rivalry with Nancy Kerrigan, building to the infamous incident involving the two before the 1994 Winter Olympics that led to Tonya Harding receiving a lifetime ban from the United States Figure Skating Association. In it, Grace can be seen playing the younger Harding.
Celeste O'Connor - Freaky (2020)
Celeste O'Connor will use her experience in high school-based sci-fi films to play one of Trevor's classmates at school, named Lucky, in Ghostbusters: Afterlife. The from the trailers, it appears as though Lucky will have a romantic subplot with Trevor and will witness, if not help deal with, the supernatural phenomenon.
Playing off of body swap comedies such as Freaky Friday, Freaky is a horror-comedy about a teenage girl named Millie who swaps bodies with a vicious serial killer. Millie, in the serial killer's body, and her friends (one of whom is played by O'Connor) must find a way to switch her back before the switch becomes permanent.
Annie Potts - Toy Story 4 (2019)
Annie Potts will return to her role of Janine Melnitz for the film, once again playing the Ghostbuster's secretary. In the other films, it was suggested that Janine had romantic feelings towards Egon, so her inclusion in the new movie will add an extra layer of emotion surrounding his passing.
For many years now, the Toy Story franchise has been the hallmark of animation, and Toy Story 4 continues the series' tradition of beautiful animation and emotional storytelling. The film follows the toys as they adjust to having Bonnie as an owner and go on a road trip that reunites Woody with Bo Peep, who is voiced by Annie Potts.
Paul Rudd - Ant-Man (2015)
Paul Rudd will play the character of Mr. Grooberson in the upcoming Ghostbusters: Afterlife, a teacher at the kids' school. As an older mentor, he teaches the kids about the Ghostbusters and it also appears as though he may have a romantic relationship with Callie.
Phase 2 of the MCU came to a close with the introduction of Scott Lang in Ant-Man, played by Rudd. The superhero origin story follows Lang as he forms a partnership with scientist Hank Pym and his daughter Hope van Dyne, who gives Scott the technology to become Ant-Man. Like most Marvel movies, the film uses an effective combination of action and humor, using the shrinking technology for a number of hilarious visual gags.
Finn Wolfhard - Stranger Things (2016 - )
Between Strangers Things and It, Finn Wolfhard has made a name for himself starring in nostalgic sci-fi properties, so it is only fitting that he will go from playing a character who dresses up like a Ghostbuster for Halloween in Stranger Things to portraying Trevor, the grandson of original Ghostbuster, Egon Spengler. From the promotional material, it appears as though Trevor will be the leader and coolest member of the new Ghostbusters, much like Peter Venkman was in the original.
The Netflix hit series Stranger Things is a nostalgic throwback to classic 1980s movies and the books of Stephen King. The show follows a group of adolescent friends as they meet a telepathic young girl named Eleven and begin encountering government conspiracies and supernatural beings. Wolfhard plays the character of Mike in the series, one of the main characters and friend to Will Byers, around whom most of the series' action revolves.
Dan Aykroyd - Get On Up (2014)
Dan Aykroyd will once again return to the role of Ray Stanz in Ghostbusters: Afterlife. Considering that Ray is such a vital member of the team, his inclusion in the new movie only makes sense. It appears to be Ray who answers the phone at the end of the first trailer. Even though he informs the caller that they are closed, the line is still active, meaning he has been carrying on the business in some form.
Get on Up is a musical drama that tells the true story of the ups and downs of singing legend James Brown's life. The movie follows him throughout the highs and lows of his life as he overcomes a difficult childhood, becomes a famous musician, and deals with personal demons. Aykroyd plays Ben Bart in the movie, James Brown's manager, and James Brown is played by the late Chadwick Boseman in one of his best movie roles.
Ernie Hudson - Infinity Train (2019)
Ernie Hudson will once again play Ghostbuster Winston Zeddemore in the new movie. In the original film, he served as the everyman who joined the team as an outsider. Now, over 30 years later, he will be more of an insider and a mentor, giving fans an opportunity to see a new side of the character.
Infinity Train is an animated show with a unique and thought-provoking premise. The show is set on a seemingly endless train and every car on the train is a different setting that forces one of the characters to overcome some emotional pain or issue from their past in order to move on. In a completely different role from Ghostbusters, Hudson voices the character of a talking corgi, Atticus, in the series.
Bill Murray - The Jungle Book (2016)
Bill Murray will reprise his iconic role of Peter Venkman in Ghostbusters: Afterlife. He is easily the most famous and iconic character from the Ghostbusters franchise and his inclusion in the new film will undoubtedly be a treat for fans. The trailers have not yet revealed what Venkman is up to in the present, but some of the Hasbro toys seem to suggest that he may strap on the proton pack and battle ghosts one more time.
2016's The Jungle Book is a live-action remake of the animated Disney classic. The movie follows Mowgli, a human boy who is raised by the animals in the jungle, including the lovable bear, Baloo, played by Murray.