Major spoilers for the latest episode of Boston Blue, “Beautiful Broken Things” lie ahead.

Boston Blue returned amid the 2026 TV schedule this past week and wasted no time plunging fans into familial drama involving the Silvers. Family patriarch Reverend Peters had to deal with a delicate situation involving a church colleague, but that was only the tip of the iceberg. It was eventually revealed that Peters had long been keeping something from daughter Mae (Gloria Reuben), and I was shook over the revelation. I couldn’t understand why he’d hide that, but cast member Ernie Hudson shared a solid take with CinemaBlend.

The recent episode sees Reverend Peters getting injured during a drive-by shooting at the church, sparking a visit from his oldest daughter, Jill. Somewhat shaken by the ordeal and thinking about the future, Jill and Mae decide to start getting their fathers affairs straightened out. It’s during their deep dive into the documents that Mae learns that her late mother died by suicide as opposed to a car accident as she long assumed. On top of that, Jill reveals her knowledge of the situation and that their father kept it from Mae.

It’s a massive revelation, and it leads to a tense conversation between Mae and Rev. Peters. CinemaBlend was fortunate enough to speak with the seemingly ageless Ernie Hudson about the episode, and the veteran actor seems to understand the optics of his character keeping such major information from Mae. However, Hudson’s opinion of the choice really speaks to the human condition:

Rev. Peters was, above everything else, apparently trying to protect his daughter from something that could’ve had a life-changing effect on her. To that point, Jill revealed to Marie that she only knew about the true circumstances of their mother’s death because she found her body. Sadly enough, the knowledge of their mother’s mental instability is what discouraged Jill from having a family of her own. During his interview with CB, Hudson also spoke about why it was “important” for Peters to share the news:

Personally, I want to believe the reverend would agree with my belief in an old saying, “practice what you preach.” Transparency is important, so I’m glad Peters finally told Mae the news. At the same time, though, Hudson makes great points about the nuances that likely went into the patriarch’s decision not to divulge the secret:

The Silver family has certainly been through a lot during this inaugural season of Boston Blue (which has been praised by critics). Just several episodes ago, they contended with the mystery of the man who killed Ben Silver (Mae’s late husband). That story arc had serious effects on youngest sibling Jonah. On the whole, it was a major push and pull regarding having “faith” in the system and seeking revenge.

Still, there have been light-hearted moments, and this latest installment was no different. The presence of grandpa Henry Reagan, played by returning Blue Bloods alum Len Cariou, added some levity to the proceedings. (Hudson and Cariou have a sweet BTS connection.) Lighter moments will surely remain, but don’t be surprised if more strained family dynamics – involving either the Silvers or the Reagans – crop up before this season ends.

New episodes of Boston Blue (which has been renewed for Season 2) air on Fridays at 10 p.m. ET on CBS and are later available for viewers to stream with a Paramount+ subscription.

Minor spoilers for Season 1, Episode 13 of Boston Blue are ahead! You can stream the episode now with a Paramount+ subscription.

The connections between Blue Bloods and Boston Blue just keep on coming. As Season 1 continues to air on the 2026 TV schedule, the new CBS series is continuing its streak of creating cameos for actors from the OG show. This time, Len Cariou appeared as Henry Reagan. However, this appearance is even more special because, along with his Blue Bloods history, he also has a history with Ernie Hudson, who plays Rev. Peters on Boston Blue.

While Donnie Wahlberg has the most history with the Blue Bloods cast that have appeared on Boston Blue, obviously, Hudson does share a fun connection with the flagship show’s grandpa. Explaining that to me during an interview with CinemaBlend, the Reverend Peters actor said:

While he didn’t specify what this pilot was, they both appeared in the TV movie 100 Centre Street as well. There aren’t a ton of details about the project out there, but it was made in 1984, and it starred Christine Belford, James Canning and Henry Darrow alongside Hudson and Cariou. So, the actors’ history dates back decades, and I’m thrilled that they got to reunite within such a big franchise.

To that point, Cariou returned to the world of the Reagans after playing Henry for 293 episodes of Blue Bloods. Hudson told me that having him on Boston Blue was exciting, seeing as he’s such a big part of the franchise’s legacy. Along with that, the Ghostbusters star explained that it was fun to have Rev. Peters interact with the other grandfather of this universe:

It was fun to see all this, too. So far, we’ve seen Bridget Moynahan return as Erin Reagan during the premiere of Boston Blue. Along with her, Marisa Ramirez came back as Maria Baez, and she and Danny have been navigating a long-distance relationship throughout the season. Sean Reagan is also a regular on the new CBS series; however, he was recast, and Mika Amonsen now plays Danny’s son. So, it was amazing to see another beloved Blue Bloods character on the spinoff.

As Hudson said, these cast members help tie the two shows together in an even deeper way. Plus, Cariou’s connection to him makes his role in Boston Blue even better. Hopefully, as we go into Season 2 of Boston Blue, we’ll get to see the two grandfathers on screen together a bit more. However, for now, I’m just happy they got this episode, because it’s always wonderful to see the beloved characters of Blue Bloods on this new series that’s both continuing the Reagan legacy while introducing us to an entirely new family that includes Ernie Hudson’s reverend.

Now, to see where the story goes from here, you can catch new episodes of Boston Blue on CBS every Friday at 10 p.m. Meanwhile, to stream all of Season 1 and/or to go back and watch the show that started it all, Blue Bloods, you need a Paramount+ subscription.

One of the most anticipated cinematic sequels, at least for fans of anthropomorphic playthings, is easily Pixar’s Toy Story 5, which will once again bring Woody, Buzz and the usual gang together for a heart-swelling adventure. Unfortunately, the franchise suffered another loss to its high-profile cast in the aftermath of Toy Story 4, as Carl Weathers passed away in February 2024. But does that mean we won’t be hearing from Combat Carl or his Jr. counterpart? Guess again, soldier.

It’s never known exactly how Toy Story’s creative team will handle character decisions in light of a cast member’s death — the franchise has already lost Don Rickles, Jim Varney, R. Lee Ermey, Estelle Harris, and Ned Beatty, to name a few. Rather than retire Combat Carl or have him serve solely as background visual fodder, filmmaker Pete Docter & Co. have chosen to go the recasting route, with another high-profile franchise actor landing the gig.

Ernie Hudson Is Joining Toy Story 5

Who you gonna call when you need a top-notch vocal substitution for an animated blockbuster? The Ghostbusters, obviously. Or at least one of them, as TMZ reports Ernie Hudson was cast behind the scenes to take over the roles of Combat Carl and his higher-pitched offshoot Combat Carl Jr.

It's unclear when exactly Hudson was brought into the project, nor how heavy a workload he will have when inside the recording booth. But we know that he'll be part of the plasticized good time when Toy Story 5 hits theaters in 2026, and one can only hope there's at least one Winston Zedemore joke. Or maybe something more respectful than a joke, even, since Hudson's return for Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire made Winston out to be arguably the most capable human in that universe.

I'm almost surprised that the powers that be didn't choose to just retire the G.I. Joe-spoofing character, given Carl Weathers' previous military characters in movies like Predator were a big reason why he was cast to voice the action figure. Not that Hudson has had a career free from soldier roles, as he's portrayed Arrow's General Stewart, Twin Peaks: The Return's Colonel Davis, Rizzoli & Isles' Admiral Frost and more.

Interestingly enough, Toy Story 5 won’t be the only upcoming Disney-related project that Ernie Hudson will be seen in. The actor was also reported to have joined the cast of Oswald: Down the Rabbit Hole, a low-budget horror focusing on Mickey Mouse predecessor Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, which joined “Steamboat Willie” and Winnie the Pooh in the realm of public domain characters being exploited for mash-up genre flicks like Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble.

No word on whether or not Combat Carl will show up to fight Bambi or whatever, but I think we can safely expect the military toy to stay away from that particular war.

Stay tuned for more Toy Story 5 details as they come crawling out of the toy chest, and be sure to relive Carl Weathers’ top-notch performances in Toy Story of TERROR! and everything else in this franchise with a Disney+ subscription.

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire was one of the earlier 2024 movie release schedule entries and, while it received received icy reviews from critics, it was great to see the series' veterans back in action. Among their ranks was franchise OG Ernie Hudson, who has played Winston Zeddemore (the best member of the team) since the original 1984 film. Just recently, Hudson recounted how Bill Murray helped him return for the sequels, and he did so in a sweet way.

During Rhode Island Comic Con, Ernie Hudson opened up about his relationship with his co-stars -- Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and the late Harold Ramis. The 78-year-old star specifically shouted out Murray for his support over the years. Via People, Hudson recalled how when his own status with the franchise seemed in doubt, the Scrooged actor made a major declaration:

It takes a lot of guts to stand up for anyone under a number of circumstances. However, for the Groundhog's Day star to advocate for his co-star before a studio in that way speaks volumes. It’s heartwarming to hear that he had genuine love and admiration for his co-star and that the love remains today. The entertainment industry itself can be tough, so it's especially great whenever actors support fellow actors.

The seemingly ageless Ernie Hudson has long been vocal about his frustrations with the initial handling of Winston. In a previous interview, Hudson admitted to not feeling included alongside his fellow stars. Though, during this recent interview, he specified that his three castmates were open and inclusive while working on what's now considered one of the best '80s movies:

You can see the love amongst the squad on the screen, and it's even better knowing it’s the same way off camera. As far as a 40-year-old franchise goes, that’s pretty special to hold your co-stars in the same regard all these years later. On top of that, I think I speak for fans when I say I'm happy that Ernie Hudson remained with the franchise, and I'm thankful that Bill Murray played a role in that.

If you’d like to watch Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, you can do so using a Netflix subscription. You should also keep an eye out for news on the upcoming Ghostbusters animated series that was greenlit back in 2022.

Oz never won an Emmy for best series or any other major awards, but its cast of inmates, prison staff, and other fourth-wall-breaking characters were more than deserving of any and all praise received during the HBO show’s six-season run. And while series creator Tom Fontana had a habit of killing off many of those beloved personalities without a moment’s notice, there were several dozen that were around for a long time.

Here are 32 Oz characters that appeared in the most episodes. 

Warden Leo Glynn - 56 Episodes

Oswald State Penitentiary, or Oswald State Correctional Facility, as it’s known in later seasons, warden Leo Glynn (Ernie Hudson) appeared in all 56 episodes of Oz, and was a major player in just about every single one of those installments. Though other characters had more to do, Glynn’s longevity and ability to survive scandal should be marveled.

Vern Schillinger - 56 Episodes

Prisoner #92S110, Vern Schillinger  (J.K. Simmons) was undoubtedly one of the most terrifying characters on Oz. The head of the prison’s Aryan Brotherhood chapter, this unapologetic neo-Nazi took great pleasure in making life miserable for his fellow inmates, with a particular amount of attention pointed towards one cellmate in particular throughout his 56-episode run.

Tobias Beecher - 56 Episodes

Prisoner #97B412, Tobias Beecher (Lee Tergesen) was one of the only main characters to survive Oz and appeared in all 56 episodes. However, Beecher didn’t leave unscathed, as the prison system turned him from a man convicted of vehicular manslaughter serving 15 years to one of the most unhinged inmates in the “Emerald City.”

Ryan O’Reily - 56 Episodes

Before Dean Winters was showing up as part of the Law & Order: SVU cast or portraying “Mayhem” in those Allstate commercials, he took on the role of Ryan O’Reily, aka Prisoner #97P904, in every episode of Oz. Sentenced to life in prison, O’Reily did everything he could to make life enjoyable for himself and painful for everyone else, which didn’t always work out for the inmate.

Bob Redabow - 56 Episodes

Prisoner #65R814, Bob Redabow (George Morfogen) was the oldest inmate living in Emerald City as well as one of the few prisoners to survive all six seasons of Oz. One of the few inmates who could navigate from group to group without facing any serious repercussions, Redabow was essentially the prison’s grandfather figure with all kinds of quirks and odd behaviors.

Tim McManus - 55 Episodes

Portrayed by Terry Kinney, Tim McManus was the mastermind behind the Emerald City project and a pivotal figure throughout all six seasons of Oz. However, McManus wasn’t around for the entire series as he was absent from an episode about halfway through the show’s run.

Sister Peter Marie Reimondo - 55 Episodes

Sister Peter Marie Reimondo, portrayed by Oscar-winner Rita Moreno, was a no-nonsense yet compassionate Catholic nun who provided emotional and spiritual support for inmates and prison staff alike. Appearing in all but one episode – the Oz Season 1 finale – Sister Pete was instrumental in the show’s progress and major storylines.

Augustus Hill - 55 Episodes

Prisoner #95H522, Augustus Hill (Harold Perrineau) was a prisoner serving life for second-degree murder and drug possession who also acted as the series’ narrator. At the beginning and end of nearly every episode, HIll’s narrator would set up the story, offer commentary, and play with the audience in extravagant and unforgettable ways.

Kareem Said - 51 Episodes

Prisoner #97S444, Kareem Said (Eamonn Walker) was sentenced to serve 18 years in prison for committing arson and second-degree murder, a sentence that ended up being for life by the time it was said and done. A key figure in several of the show’s biggest storylines, Said appeared in 51 of 56 episodes, putting him near the top of the list.

Poet - 49 Episodes

Prisoner #96J352, Arnold “Poet” Jackson, portrayed by the late Craig “Mums” Grant, was actually released from prison and given a second chance at life partway through his 16-year sentence for attempted murder. However, the former drug user with a knack for the written word and slam poetry didn’t make it long in the outside world before he was back in Emerald City as Prisoner #98J448, appearing in 49 episodes overall.

Zahir Arif - 48 Episodes

Prisoner #97A622, Zahir Arif (Granville Adams) was one of Kareem Said’s most faithful Muslim followers throughout Oz and had a reputation of being one of the show’s most peaceful and cool-headed inmates. A major player in all six seasons, Arif showed up in 48 episodes.

Agamemnon Busmalis - 47 Episodes

Introduced in Oz Season 2, Agamemnon Busmalis (Tom Mardirosian), aka Prisoner #98B242, was one of the strangest and most interesting inmates living in Emerald City. Given the nickname “The Mole” because of his expertise in breaking and entering, Busmalis was around for all but a few episodes.

Miguel Alvarez - 47 Episodes

Miguel Alvarez (Kirk Acevedo), or Prisoner #97A413, appeared in a total of 47 episodes by the time everything was said and done in Oz. At times evil, vindictive, and scheming while at others moral and sympathetic, Alvarez was one of the most interesting and well-written characters to call Em City home.

Father Ray Mukada - 46 Episodes

Portrayed by BD Wong, Father Ray Mukada was a key member of the prison staff in Oz, providing emotional and spiritual assistance for anyone who asked. However, he was prone to lose it from time to time and get wrapped up in storylines that went against his religious background.

Chucky Pancamo - 46 Episodes

Chucky Pancamo (Chuck Zito), aka Prisoner #97P468, was one of the most physically intimidating prisoners on Oz and also one of the most present members of the “Wiseguys” mafia-adjacent group. From his introduction in Season 2 and until the series finale, Pancamo was a tough-as-nails character.

Officer Joseph Mineo - 46 Episodes

Though you probably don’t remember him, Officer Joseph Mineo (Philip V. Scozzarella) appeared in 46 episodes of Oz, though mostly in the background. Still, Mineo managed to survive to see the series through when so many others met their maker.

Cyril O’Reily - 45 Episodes

Cyril O’Reily (Scott William Winters), better known as Prisoner #98P284, was sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of murder which was ordered by his brother, Ryan. Mentally handicapped after being injured in a fight, Cyril was largely seen as a more sympathetic character on Oz and was featured in 45 episodes.

Chico Guerra - 40 Episodes

Prisoner #96G522, Chico Guerra (Otto Sanchez) was a somewhat integral prisoner throughout all but the first season of Oz. A member of the Latinos group in Emerald City, Chico was always up to some scheme, oftentimes involving Miguel Alvarez.

Officer Sean Murphy - 38 Episodes

Officer Sean Murphy (Robert Clohessy) was the head of security in Emerald City and one of the most honest and virtuous characters featured throughout the series. Appearing in 38 episodes, Murphy was someone well-liked by all in the prison.

Chris Keller - 37 Episodes

When it comes to unhinged Oz characters, few come close to Chris Keller (Christopher Meloni). Introduced as Prisoner #98K514 partway through the show’s second season, Keller was the devil incarnate, especially during his tense relationship with Tobias Beecher. And talk about a kill-count, Keller played a role in nearly two dozen deaths.

James Robson - 36 Episodes

Prisoner #97R492, James Robson (R.E. Rodgers) earned a trip to Oswald State Penitentiary after being convicted of first-degree murder and being sentenced to 25-to-life. A key figure in Vern Schillinger’s Aryan Brotherhood group outside of Emerald City, Robson did a lot of the dirty work and had crazy survival instincts, which led to some wild situations throughout the 36 episodes in which he appeared.

Officer Claire Howell - 35 Episodes

Officer Claire Howell (Kristin Rohde) was one of the most predatory characters featured in all of Oz, which is saying something. Featured in 35 episodes, Howell preyed on prisoners like Ryan O’Reilly, Chris Keller, and others and forced them to fulfill her needs and insatiable appetite. Oh, and she was incredibly violent.

Officer Len Lopresti - 33 Episodes

Officer Len Lopresti (Carl DiMaggio) was one of the meaner, more violent, and more racist prison guards featured throughout Oz. Though he appeared in 33 episodes, a lot of the time he was only spotted in the background or watching over death row inmates.

Jaz Hoyt - 33 Episodes

Portrayed by Biohazard frontman Evan Seinfeld, Jaz Hoyt, Prisoner #98H432, was a key member of the biker gang set up in Oswald and played a role in some of the bigger storylines throughout his stay. He pretty much appeared in every episode from the time of his Season 2 debut until the series finale some years later.

Simon Adebisi - 32 Episodes

Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje portrayed Simon Adebisi, Prisoner #93A234, throughout the first four seasons of Oz, appearing in a total of 32 episodes. A ruthless prisoner who played a major role in the prison’s drug trade and more senseless acts of violence, Adebisi was also one of the most unhinged and unforgettable characters from the series.

Governor James Devlin - 27 Episodes

Governor James Devlin (Zeljko Ivanek) is in the running for biggest prick in Oz as the self-serving politician stopped at nothing to make himself look better by making everyone else do the hard part. Featured in all six seasons, Devlin was a thorn in the side of prison staff, especially Warden Leo Glynn.

Timmy Kirk - 28 Episodes

Prisoner #96K423, Timmy Kirk (Sean Dugan) was a key part of the Irish gang established in Oswald State Penitentiary and popped up in a total of 28 episodes before it was all said and done. And spoiler alert, but Kirk was killed off in electric fashion, quite literally, in the show’s sixth and final season.

Enrique Morales - 26 Episodes

An actor who may have forgotten was on Oz, David Zayas portrayed Enrique Morales in a total of 26 episodes. Prisoner #00M871, Morales came to Em City in the show’s fourth season and made an impact on the power dynamic by forming an alliance with Chuck Pancamo. That wouldn’t last long though…

Burr Redding - 23 Episodes

Burr Redding (Anthony Chisholm), Prisoner #01R289, showed up at the end of Oz Season 4 and made an immediate impact in Emerald City. The stepfather of Augustus Hill, Redding quickly took over the Homeboys gang following the death of its former leader, Simon Adebisi, and made the outfit one of the toughest in the prison. In his 23 episodes, Redding made friends, enemies, and a series of decisions that led to major events later on.

Kenny Wangler - 23 Episodes

Kenny “Bricks” Wangler (J.D. Williams), aka Prisoner #97W566, became the youngest inmate living within the confines of Emerald City after being convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to 20 years in prison at the age of 16. A major player in the show’s first four seasons, Wangler was one of Simon Adebisi’s key allies as well as someone who would do anything asked of him for his crew. Williams would end up playing one of the most-used characters on The Wire several years later.

Officer Diane Wittlesey - 23 Episodes

Before Edie Falco went on to star in The Sopranos, she played Officer Diane Whittlesey in the early seasons of Oz. One of the highest-ranking prison guards in Oswarld, Whittlesey often spent her time in Emerald City where she was firm but fair with inmates and prison staff alike. All in all, Falco showed up in 23 episodes of Oz before her character went to England on vacation and fell in love with a Royal Guardsman, much to the chagrin of on-again, off-again love interest Tim McManus.

Omar White - 22 Episodes

Portrayed by Michael Wright, Omar White, Prisoner #01W711 was one of the wildest and most unpredictable inmates to ever enter the walls of Oswald State Penitentiary. Introduced in the final episodes of Season 4, White remained a key figure in and around Emerald City for the remaining years of the show, appearing in a total of 22 episodes. If there was a major storyline in the final three seasons, White was involved someway or somehow and for better or worse. 

My son loves video games. I know that might sound like a weird way to start off an article about Ghostbusters, but I assure you, it definitely correlates with their latest movie. 

Because it wasn't until I bought my son Ghostbusters: The Video Game Remastered for his Switch that he became a diehard Ghostbusters fan. For example, that year, our whole family dressed up as Ghostbusters for Halloween because of his obsession, and I don’t know how many times he would go out in our backyard with his Proton Pack and pretend to bust ghosts (And why not? Busting feels good!) 

So, when Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (which we gave a pretty good review) came out in theaters, I was pumped, since it would be my son’s first big screen Ghostbusters experience. Unfortunately, my car broke down the day that I had bought tickets, so we didn’t get to see it in theaters. However, we were able to finally check it out with our Netflix subscription, and he loved it just as much as I hoped he would. So, here’s what he loved the most about it. 

Oh, and spoilers up ahead if you haven’t seen it yet. 

Tiny Stay-Puft Marshmallow Men Were A Major Highlight For Him 

If there is any character that is just as (if not more) recognizable than the Ghostbusters themselves, it’s probably the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man. How could he not be? Even with his gargantuan size in the first movie, he was just so cute and adorable that you wanted to give him a great big hug. 

In fact, my son knew who he was way before they even fought him in Ghostbusters: The Video Game Remastered, because he would see his costume in Spirit Halloween stores year after year. He’s just such an iconic character, and definitely one of the reasons why I think the original film is often considered the best in the franchise (even though, if you ask me, Ghostbusters II is the preferable movie). 

And so, my son absolutely adored all of the mini Stay-Puft Marshmallow Men found in this film. Yes, we got them in Afterlife as well, but to be honest, I didn’t show my son that movie since I find it to be the least in the spirit of the team that I know he loves, so he still hasn’t seen it yet.

But, he loved their little antics in Frozen Empire, as they were constantly causing mischief, and all sorts of problems, just like the Minions in the Despicable Me movies. 

Every time they came back on the screen, my son just had a big goofy grin on his face, and when they reappeared in the mid-credit scene, he turned to me and said, “They were the best part of the whole movie.” Honestly, I can’t blame him. They certainly were a highlight.

The Villain Was Really Cool, Albeit, A Little Scary  

One thing my son loves about the franchise is that it’s scary, but not too scary (Scary enough, though, to make our 50 best horror movies list!). In this way, he didn’t get any nightmares when he battled any of the enemies in the video game, some of which appeared in the movies. 

That said, most of the game leans heavily into the comedy, rather than the horror, and so my son wasn’t really ready for the tall, intimidating villain, Garraka, who appears in this movie. 

Now, Garraka is kind of creepy, but my son, who I’ve taken to see Godzilla, doesn’t get scared too easily. So, when he first made his appearance in the film, with his emaciated look, and sharp nails, my son said, “Well, that’s creepy.” But, he also thought the character was (excuse the pun) really cool as he froze New York City. 

My son also liked that, unlike some of the other Ghostbusters villains, who seemed to be a bit chatty (like Vigo), Garraka didn’t really say much at all, and my son enjoyed that he could communicate with other ghosts through his spherical chamber. 

So, yes, the villain was another highlight for my son as well, who absolutely adored this flick.

He Was Happy To See The Older Ghostbusters, And Wished The Movie Was More About Them 

One cool thing about the video game is that it includes the voices of all of the Ghostbusters, including Harold Ramis in his final role as Egon! In this way, before we got Afterlife, a lot of fans considered the 2009 game to be the official third film, as it followed the events of Ghostbusters II. 

So, my son doesn’t connect with any of the new team. He doesn’t care about McKenna Grace, or Paul Rudd, or Finn Wolfhard. In fact, when the movie started, he said, “Where are the real Ghostbusters?” 

Of course I told him, “These are the real Ghostbusters. They’re just new,” but he adamantly shook his head. He wanted to know where Ray, Peter, Egon, and Winston (his and my favorite Ghostbuster) were, and since I knew they would appear later in the movie (except for Egon, who I had to break the news to him had died in real life), I told him, “They’re coming.”

And so, he was happy when Dan Aykroyd appeared as Ray in his little occult shop, and overjoyed when Ernie Hudson showed up (and, funnily, only mildly amused when Bill Murray showed up, since Venkman is his least favorite Ghostbuster).

I was actually surprised that he was also happy when Annie Potts and William Atherton appeared as Janine and Walter, respectively. They’re also in the game, and he liked that they were in the movie, as well. In truth, he wished the whole film was just the original cast, and as good as the new members are, I’m sure he’s not the only one. 

He Was Also, Of Course, Happy To See Slimer  

If the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man and the Ghostbusters are the most popular characters in the series, then Slimer is probably a good call for the third most popular character, and my son was happy to see him in the movie, also.

The loveable, hungry ghost doesn’t really play a major role in the story, and is instead just there to give Finn Wolfhard’s character something to do, as he tries to trap the popular apparition. But, my son knew Slimer was coming as soon as he saw the pile of empty wrappers on the floor. “Slimer’s in there,” he told me, pointing to the screen. I asked him how he knew that, and he said, “Just look at all the food. Slimer loves to eat.” 

Yes, Slimer indeed loves to eat, and he was hidden in the pile of wrappers. his presence is just another example of how this movie gives the fans what they want. Speaking of which… 

In The End, He Thought The Story Moved At A Good Pace, And That It Was Never Boring  

I know a lot of people enjoyed Afterlife, but honestly, I didn’t care for it at all. I feel it’s my least favorite Ghostbusters movie, and that’s why I was reluctant to start my son off with it. It’s less of a comedy, and much more somber, which doesn’t really fit the mood or the tone of the others. 

But, thankfully, Frozen Empire feels more like a return to form. No, it’s not perfect, and it has its nagging issues, but overall, it’s a good movie that moves at a quick pace, and my son was never bored. In fact, I was doing laundry while the two of us were watching the flick on the couch, and I occasionally had to pause the film just to check if I needed to put my clothes in the drier. This prompted my son to say, “You keep stopping at all the good parts!” 

I guess I was, but, that’s only because most of the movie was “good parts,” and he was always engaged. 

So, in the end, he loved it, and I thought it was pretty good, too.

What did you think? Have you checked out Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire on Netflix yet? (It’s also on Prime to rent or buy.) 

The death of Brandon Lee on the set of The Crow will forever be regarded as one of the great tragedies in modern Hollywood. The young actor and son of martial arts legend Bruce Lee was on the precipice of becoming a major star when he was making the beloved 1994 film, but his life was cut when a firearm misfunction during production resulted in his death. It was a horrible thing to happen, but he still lives on in the memories of those with whom he grew close during his time in the industry.

Ernie Hudson got to spend some significant time with Brandon Lee prior to his death, and he recently discussed his relationship with his Crow co-star in an interview for the Power Up With Tony Horton YouTube channel. Hudson plays Sergeant Daryl Albrecht opposite Lee's Eric Draven in the Alex Proyas film, and when asked to reflect on their relationship, he told the story of how they first had the opportunity to meet. Referencing the upcoming Crow remake starring Bill Skarsgård, he said,

While the stereotypical Hollywood star goes back to his trailer between takes and doesn't want to spend time with his co-stars or the crew, Ernie Hudson said that wasn't the way that Brandon Lee would operate.

The Ghostbusters star also shared the story of the last time he had the chance to speak with Brandon Lee – which was at a time when his own family had suffered a loss and he was dealing with confidence issues regarding his career. Hudson told the interviewer that Lee was not just kind to him but offered special words of encouragement to him:

Continuing, Ernie Hudson recalled how he first heard the devastating news that Brandon Lee was dead. He said that his initial instinct was to not finish the film without the lead, he is ultimately happy that the movie was finished because he believes that Lee would be proud of the work. Said Hudson,

A 1990s classic, The Crow is a must-watch if you have never seen it before – and it's at the very least worth giving a watch before exploring your curiosity about the upcoming remake. In addition to being available for digital rental and purchase, physical media collectors can purchase the movie on 4K UHD, and it's also currently available to stream with a Paramount+ subscription.

The Ghostbusters movies have collectively been a major fixture within the cultural zeitgeist for nearly 40 years now, and there are several elements you can attribute to ther success. One aspect is the roster of well-cast stars who were tapped to play the famous team and those in their orbit. Ernie Hudson, who’s famously played Winston Zeddemore for decades, is such a talent, having brought a level of gravitas to his role. On that note, CinemaBlend had a chance to catch up with him just recently and ask about potential castings down the road. And, while discussing the IP’s future, he notably name-dropped a Batman star that I’d love to see join the franchise at some point.

In celebration of the digital release of Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, I had the opportunity to speak with Ernie Hudson, who discussed Winston’s backstory and more with me. I also asked for his thoughts on the franchise moving forward, specifically who he’d like to see join him and his co-stars in future installments. The veteran actor admitted that he doesn’t watch as many films as he used to but believes there are plenty of talented actors who could contribute to the supernatural comedy franchise. While talking he name-dropped one Oscar-winning film and its lead actor:

Mr. Jeffrey Wright is definitely one of our finest actors and has been delivering great performances for decades now. Angels in America (both the stageplay and TV miniseries), Basquiat, Westworld and The Ides of March are just a few of the major credits to his name. And, of course, as far as big-screen superhero fare goes, Wright is more recently known for his turn as Jim Gordon in The Batman. I would love to see the DC alum join the world of Ghostbusters in some capacity. Whether he’d be wielding a proton pack or playing a different kind of role, the series would certainly benefit from his grounding presence.

Should the What If…? star be cast in such a future GB sequel, he’d join not only Ernie Hudson, but the likes of Mckenna Grace, Paul Rudd, Dan Aykroyd and more. The ensemble, which is a mix of franchise vets and relative newcomers, has proven to be effective. Each of them bounce off each other in seamless ways. While we were speaking, Hudson had nothing but praise to shower on his colleagues for their work ethic:

From Mckenna Grace’s reserved yet plucky portrayal of Phoebe Spengler to Bill Murray’s still-wry delivery as Dr. Peter Venkman, there’s no weak link in the chain. It’s for that reason that many are likely hoping to see this cast in another movie at some point. While it’s known that a Ghostbusters show is heading to Netflix in the near future, what lies ahead for the film saga is unclear. At the very least, Ernie Hudson does have some ideas that could be worth considering:

There are indeed a number of routes that the producers can go down, and the idea of new ghost-busting teams coming into the fray is exciting. It would also allow for a plethora of fresh talent to be added to the franchise’s ranks. Who knows, that could even include Jeffrey Wright, who’s been waiting for updates on The Batman – Part II. I’ll be holding out hope that Wright gets the call to spring into action.

In the meantime, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, is now available to rent and buy on digital platforms. The film is also set to be released on DVD, Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD on June 25. Movie aficionados should also do themselves a favor and check out the 2024 movie schedule to learn about some of the other major releases headed to theaters this year.

Light spoilers for Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire lie ahead.

The Ghostbusters franchise has more than thrived since Ivan Reitman’s 1984 supernatural comedy crushed at the box office. Just a few months ago, fans of the proton pack-wielding paranormalists were treated to the latest sequel, Frozen Empire. One of the familiar faces in the fold was fan favorite Winston Zeddemore, played by the incomparable Ernie Hudson. The veteran actor has been seeking to add fresh elements to Winston’s characterization in recent years. But, during an interview with CinemaBlend, Hudson looked back, revealing details of Zeddemore's backstory that “never made it” into the OG film.

What Ernie Hudson Told Us About Winston’s Pre-Ghostbusters Life

Winston is introduced in the classic romp as an everyman who’s just looking for stable employment. That search leads him to the titular team’s iconic firehouse, where he is interviewed by Janine Melnitz and then swiftly offered a position by Ray Stantz. Viewers get a solid sense of Zeddemore’s witty and sincere personality through that one scene. And, over time, other scenes help to flesh him out a bit more. However, if you’re like me, then you may have long been curious about what Winston’s life was like before he joined up with Stantz, Egon Spengler and Peter Venkman. 

I had the pleasure of speaking with Ernie Hudson in promotion of Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire’s digital release, during which the jovial actor discussed his tenure with the franchise. What couldn’t help but ask, though, was how much of Winston’s backstory he’s aware of at this point. That’s when Hudson revealed details of Winston’s history while also discussing the character’s professional standing at the onset of the movie: 

As fun as they are, the Ghostbusters films have their flaws, and some might argue that one of the OG film’s shortcomings is that Winston isn’t quite as developed as the other lead characters. A detail like that Air Force tidbit may seem small in the grand scheme of things, but it could’ve done a lot for the character. I wish this additional information about Winston would’ve made the cut, and it may have helped soothe the Crow alum’s desire for the character to have more meaningful material in that movie.

Ernie Hudson Opens Up About His Character’s Evolution

For some time now, Ernie Hudson has been candid about wanting improvements made to Winston. The star revealed that he felt his character was treated as an “add-on,” especially since he didn’t come into the story until later in the movie. When he opted to return for 2021’s Ghostbusters: Afterlife, he wanted to ensure that Zeddemore got his due. In his eyes, the film did indeed rectify the problem, and Hudson shared with me why he’s pleased with how it turned out: 

These days, the veteran Ghostbuster is now the head of Zeddemore Industries, a global enterprise that he started after he retired from ghost busting. The end of Afterlife saw Winston purchase the old firehouse as part of his effort to re-establish the eponymous group. And, by Frozen Empire, he’s established the Paranormal Research Center. Needless to say, he’s no longer a man in need of a job but, as Ernie Hudson furthered explain, there’s one aspect of the character that has not changed: 

I definitely agree with the actor’s assessment on the character’s arc and with how far he’s come. Now, there are even some who’d agree that Winston is the best Ghostbuster hands down. Admittedly, after hearing about his backstory, I do still have questions about his personal life but, those aside, I’m pleased with how bright Winston’s future is. 

You can see the character and his teammates in action in Ghostbusters Frozen Empire (one of the biggest titles on the 2024 movie schedule), which is now available to buy or rent digitally. And keep your eyes peeled for details regarding when the movie will be released on DVD, Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD formats. 

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire didn't wow critics, but the physique of one of the franchise's OGs absolutely impressed a lot of people amid the legacy sequel's debut. Cast member Ernie Hudson went viral when images of the man, looking incredible at the film's premiere, hit the Internet. Now, the veteran actor has spoken about the response and revealed the hilarious reason that he ended up only wearing a t-shirt while walking the red carpet.

Ernie Hudson was snapped at the Frozen Empire premiere in a black tee, which showed off the actor's well-trained physique quite well. He certainly doesn't look decades older than he did as part of the original cast. However, Hudson tells Men’s Health that he wasn’t aiming to be a thirst trap. In fact, there's actually a very simple (and incredibly reasonable) explanation as to why the star was only sporting that shirt when posing for photographers. On his modest attire, Hudson said…

Ernie Hudson certainly looked great at Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, and it's not hard to understand why he went viral after those photos were snapped. While a lot of jokes are made about the fact that 55-year-old Paul Rudd never ages, he’s got nothing on 78-year-old Hudson. Though, as the actor says here, he wishes he could get the compliments before people bring up his age, which is definitely understandable.

The Miss Congeniality 2 alum goes on to explain just how he looks as good as he does. He reportedly hasn’t had a drink since he was 19, following an incident where he ended up in a drunk tank. However, working out is a rather recent new addition to the actor’s schedule. It's honestly amazing that his body remained in solid shape into his 70s without formal gym work. It was only in the last few years that he felt the need to start working out to keep in the shape he wanted to be in. 

It’s certainly all working out for him. All in all, Ernie Hudson has really gotten notice as of late, after years of being overlooked as a Ghostbuster. He looks great and feels great as well, and I'm here for it. Whether we’ll have a chance to see him again alongside the other proton pack-wielding heroes remains to be seen. If so, however, maybe the rest of them should hit the gym if they don’t want to be left behind.  

You can see the actor and his co-stars in action by checking out Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire -- one of the biggest 2024 movie schedule titles -- in theaters now.

It’s clear as day that Ghostbusters’ Paul Rudd hasn't aged since the Wet Hot American Summer movie. But one of the many benefits of having the original Ghostbusters return for Frozen Empire is seeing how great they look today. Rudd may still be getting ageless comments but I can’t stop thinking about how great his co-star Ernie Hudson looks at his age too.

Three decades later, Ernie Hudson returned as part of the cast of Ghostbusters: Afterlife. Thankfully, that sequel was an opportunity to improve the character of Winston Zeddemore in making Hudson's character more complete compared to his role in the previous ‘80s films. Seeing him again in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, you’d think Hudson had kept himself frozen in time since his debut in the supernatural comedy. Standing alongside his equally ageless co-star, Paul Rudd, at Claridge’s Hotel photo call for Frozen Empire, these two look like they haven’t aged a bit. See for yourself in the photo below:

Isn’t it amazing how great these two look? With Paul Rudd being 54 years old and Ernie Hudson being 78, these two clearly have great genes. Hudson is 78 years old and doesn’t look anywhere near that long in the tooth-- and he's pretty ripped. If you want more proof that The Crow actor looks the same as he did in 1980, a fan posted a side-by-side photo of the same actor from two different decades of his life and it’s like time hasn’t passed. Not only was I in disbelief, but X users left comments expressing their complete shock at the actor’s age too.

• And people say Paul Rudd never ages 😱
• Ernie is ageing backwards!
• He’s the oldest of the living original #Ghostbusters and looks the youngest.
• If it's because he's a celebrity, how do you explain how he looks better than almost every celebrity over the age of 50?
• Man looks better and healthier than folks half his age

A lot of these comments are right that Ernie Hudson looks amazing for his age. Other than being a little gray in the hair and donning a mustache, those side-by-side photos hardly show any difference. And, he’s still got working muscles that clearly haven’t left his side since his days of youth. The Miss Congeniality actor will be the envy of many of us as we age.

We don’t know yet what Ernie Hudson’s secret is for how he manages to look the same with time, but we know Paul Rudd’s. Last year, the Ant-Man star explained his ageless appearance is due to getting at least eight hours of sleep, a healthy diet, and exercising where he mixes weight lifting three times a week with cardio. Based on looking completely ageless at the Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire premiere, I would say Rudd’s health and lifestyle methods are paying off.

While Paul Rudd continues to look ageless in every movie and public appearance he's in, it’s clear that’s something he has in common with his Ghostbusters costar Ernie Hudson. They both look so great for their age that it makes us all hope we can age as gracefully as the pair. You have the chance to watch the duo in the 2024 movie release of Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire playing in theaters now.

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire won the box office this past weekend, despite the icy  critical reception it's received. With this film and 2021's Afterlife, the franchise has expanded upon the continuity launched by Ivan Reitman's 1984 flick. And, in the process, it's finally given Ernie Hudson’s Winston Zeddemore his flowers. However, before these past two films, there was the 2016 all-lady Ghostbusters reboot, which was criticized by OG fans. Now, Hudson is sharing his thoughts and not holding back about the "disappointing" reception to the film.

The veteran actor was honest about fans’ response to the reboot while speaking with The Independent. Ernie Hudson actually made a small cameo as the uncle of Leslie Jones' Patty Tolan. Despite appearing in the franchise revival attempt, Hudson admitted to having trepidation about the female-led film. Of course, he was kind in several respects, calling Jones and her co-stars “brilliantly funny on their own.” However, he didn’t pull back when recalling longtime fans’ responses to the film:

Overall, he seemed to enjoy the 2016 reboot himself but could understand much of the public's response. At the time, fans of the OG series wanted to see the original cast reunite (minus the late Harold Ramis) instead of seeing a new group take the reins. In the time since, Melissa McCarthy has discussed the backlash alongside some of the film's other leads. The blowback actually became so immense that there came a point where director Paul Feig had to step in. It wasn’t just fans who seemingly disliked the film either, as it received mixed critical reception at the time as well.

Ernie Hudson shed more light on the failed 2016 reboot by mentioning that he didn’t “quite understand why you do a reboot” when one could “just make another movie” in the OG series. He does make a fair point in that making a proper threequel could've been a viable course of action at the time. Then again, the idea of tapping Leslie Jones, Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy and Kate McKinnon for a supernatural comedy does sound perfect on paper. Unfortunately, it just didn't pan out well. 

Some fans still speak ill of the film and its cast to this day, despite being nearly a decade removed from its release. Some seemed pleased when Ghostbusters: Afterlife was announced years later. One person who wasn't happy, though, was Leslie Jones, who shared some blunt thoughts on the 2021 revival. But, again, time has passed since that film, and it would seem that Sony Pictures has indeed moved on -- as has Ernie Hudson, it seems.

You can check out Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, one of the big titles on the 2024 movie schedule, in theaters now. You can follow up on the latest franchise entry by streaming the 1984 film and its sequels with a Hulu subscription or with a Prime Video subscription, which will also get you access to the 2016 reboot. 

Ghostbusters is an all-time great movie. One of the best movies of the ‘80s, and one of the best comedies of all time. The characters and the actors are truly great, and if any piece of it had been missing, it might not have been the movie that it was. So it’s hard to hear that for a long time, Ernie Hudson didn’t feel like he was part of the Ghostbusters, though things are better now.

Ernie Hudson has spoken before about the frustration he felt making the original Ghostbusters. While his character was part of the team, he’s a comparatively small part of the original movie, and he frequently wasn’t even featured in the film’s marketing, with the focus being on the bigger names of Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Harold Ramis. Speaking with Uproxx, Hudson says the studio sent him a very clear message that he was not part of the team, but that has changed in a big way for Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. Hudson explained…

Things certainly have changed for the better in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. The new movie is arguably Winston’s biggest role in the franchise to date. Winston returned along with the rest of the remaining Ghostbusters in the Ghostbusters: Afterlife ending and we learned that Winston made good. He’s a successful businessman now. In Frozen Empire he's the money behind the new generation of Ghostbusters.

It’s great to hear that things have changed for the better for Ernie Hudson, though that only goes so far to make up for what sounds like a pretty shitty situation for him the first time around. Considering that Hudson’s role was originally written for Eddie Murphy, I can’t imagine Murphy would have been treated quite the same way.

While critics’ response to Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire hasn’t been warm, the movie has a lot that’s worth enjoying about it, and Winston getting a more prominent role is certainly one of those things. Maybe it doesn’t make up for the way things were, but it helps.  

The Ghostbusters are back…again. Following a successful return in Ghostbusters: Afterlife the classic is team is here alongside the new generation in a sequel that, based on the critical response, will probably work for anybody who is simply dying for more Ghostbusters movies, but is otherwise weak where it counts. 

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire sees the story pick up from the Ghostbusters: Afterlife ending, with the family played by McKenna Grace, Finn Wolfhard, Carrie Coon, and former teacher and not-quite-stepdad Paul Rudd, as the new professional Ghostbusters in New York City. With support from Dan Aykroyd’s Ray and Ernie Hudson’s Winston, the team has a new spiritual threat to deal with when a mystical orb of unknown origin comes into their possession. 

Critical response is not being kind to Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire overall, making it clear this is not the best movie in the franchise. Having said that our own Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire review thinks that the good outweighs the bad, with the new movie a solid balance between the first two movies and the new direction of the last one...

Most would agree that the movie has bright spots here and there, but the things that work in the movie aren’t given enough time to shine thanks to a jumbled script. Fresh Fiction says the movie suffers due to a plot that moves in fits and starts, saying…

If there was a major issue with Ghostbusters: Afterlife, it was the way the movie seemed more homage to the franchise than an actual entry in it. Screen Daily feels that Frozen Empire is much in this same vein, with the new movie focusing on referencing the previous ones, rather than trying to have an identity of its own…

Deadline holds a similar opinion. It points out that what Frozen Empire does have that’s new, some interesting stories from the new characters introduced in Afterlife, is pretty good. The problem is that everything else gets in the way of all that, preventing the good stuff from becoming a bigger part of the story…

This is not to say all critics feel that the bad entirely outweighs the good.  iO9 admits that the movie has a whole host of issues on the story side, but argues that Frozen Empire still has the feeling of being a Ghostbusters movie, such that fans will likely be happy with it… 

In the end, it seems pretty clear that Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire has some significant storytelling problems, the question for its potential audience will be whether those issues are significant enough to sink the entire film, or if there might be enough Ghostbusters fun in there to make it a fun good time. Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire's release date is this Friday.

Who you gonna call? Well, if it was up to me, and the Ghostbusters were actually real, then I’d call Winston Zeddemore, played by one of the major actors on Quantum Leap, Ernie Hudson. 

Even though Peter Venkman, Ray Stantz, and Egon Spangler are great and all, for my money, Winston has always been the best Ghostbuster. But, why do I think he’s the best? Well, you’re about to find out!

Winston Has Always Represented The Audience 

The Ghostbusters’ universe is a strange one. Even though it exists in our world, Ray, Peter, and Egon seem like they exist on an entirely different planet, with Peter (Bill Murray), being the closest to somebody who you might actually meet in real life out of the three. With all of their scientific-talk, and Ray and Egon’s technobabble, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the first Ghostbusters is more sci-fi than a supernatural comedy. 

But then, in comes good old Winston, who will believe anything you say as long as there’s a steady paycheck involved. Winston is pretty much the everyman on the team, and in a lot of ways, he’s meant to bring the audience into the story a bit more. 

Yes, Winston doesn’t come until later in the first Ghostbusters (much to the actor’s shock at the time), but once he does, he somewhat grounds the film. He’s the guy who believes in God and thinks that all of these ghosts might be a sign of the apocalypse, which is a perfectly rational thing to believe if you’re just now learning that ghosts are floating all around New York City. In a lot of ways, he’s one of the very best things about Ghostbusters. However, he’s the best in more ways than one.  

He Brought Diversity To The Team

One beef that I always had with the original Ghostbusters, great as it was, is the poster, as Ernie Hudson wasn’t even on it! Now, this was back in 1984, and Columbia Pictures was likely being super uncool, thinking that Hudson being on the poster would hurt the movie, rather than help it. And maybe they were right. I don’t know. I was only one back in 1984, and I don’t know how audiences would have responded to Winston being side-by-side with the other Ghostbusters.

You know what, though? I don’t care. I’m happy to live in an era where there are multiple movies that explore race and social justice, and that we’re all now aware that it was messed up to leave Hudson off the poster. But, that’s neither here nor there. The fact is, Winston brought diversity to the team, which is just another reason why he’s the best.

Also, he brought diversity in more ways than one. Winston isn’t a scientist, nor does he have a PhD. He’s just a regular guy off the street who was answering a help-wanted ad. Sure, his qualifications expanded in novelizations and further stories, but as far as we know in the first movie, he’s just some average dude. So, in that way, by just being an average dude, he adds diversity to the initial team of three which consists of academics and pedants. 

Oh, and he’s also Black, which is diversity in itself. So, yeah. When it comes to the four Ghostbusters, Winston has diversity on lock. And, I don’t know if you know this or not, but diversity is a really good thing! 

He's Often The Voice Of Reason On The Team 

Many people would likely argue that Peter is the voice of reason on the team, but no. He is the voice of snark, and that's not reason. Snark is snark. Ray and Egon? They’re often in their own little worlds, discussing all matters of scientific jargon back and forth, which is hilarious, don’t get me wrong. I love every member of the Ghostbusters. Hell, I love every version of the Ghostbusters, including the 2016 movie. 

But, another reason why Winston is the best Ghostbuster is because he’s the one who often has the most logical thinking. For example, when Gozer asks Ray if he’s a god, and he says no, Winston scolds him by saying, “Ray, when someone asks you if you’re a god, you say ‘Yes!’” 

He also often stays calm in the face of danger, acknowledging that they have the tools and the talent to take on any threat. In the sequel, when he gets hit by a ghost train (which I’ll get into shortly), when Egon asks him what number the train was that went through him, Winston, who’s still in shock, is all like, “Sorry, I missed it…” Because what else do you say when a freaking ghost train goes right through you? Speaking of which… 

He Got Hit By A Ghost Train And Lived To Talk About It 

I know a lot of people give Ghostbusters II crap, but honestly, I think it’s better than the original. I know, I know. Blasphemy, right? But, you have to remember. The original Ghostbusters came out in 1984, and its sequel came out in 1989. I was six years old by then, and I saw the movie in theaters. So, in a lot of ways, Ghostbusters II is MY Ghostbusters. 

Anyway, back to Winston. One scene I’ll always remember is when he, Ray, and Egon are in the subway, and this ghost is like, “Wiiiiiinston.” Then there are those heads all around them, which scared the living crap out of me as a kid, as I’m sure you would imagine. But, instead of running scared, they just keep on going through the subway, until a freaking TRAIN goes right through Winston. 

And you know what? He still went on to fight Vigo by the end of the movie, because Winston, like all of the other Ghostbusters, ain’t afraid of no ghosts. But only Winston lived to talk about a ghost train actually driving THROUGH him.  

Winston Is The One Who Is Actually Keeping The Ghostbusters Alive  

I have to be honest with you. Even though I like all of the Ghostbusters movies, Ghostbusters: Afterlife is my least favorite. However, one thing I love about the movie is how it righted a big wrong from the original flick, and that’s Zeddemore’s importance to the team, because honestly, he’s the one keeping the lights on now.

That’s right, in a post-credits scene, we learn that Winston, now a shrewd businessman, buys the old headquarters back, and even restores the old Ecto-1. Not only that, but he’s the one who’s been paying the rent for Ray’s occult bookstore, because he’s just an overall good dude. 

So, in that way, Winston is pretty much the only reason that the Ghostbusters are back in business, further solidifying my argument that he’s the best freaking Ghostbuster!

But, what do you think? Do you also love Winston as much as I do? For more news on all things Ghostbusters-related, be sure to swing around here often!  

Few upcoming 2024 movies have me excited to hit the theater more than Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, the star-studded follow-up to Ghostbusters: Afterlife that will welcome back even more familiar faces than the prior sequel did. And the latest full-length preview builds upon all the awesomeness of the first trailer, while also teasing a few more surprises that are on the way. And that includes a returning “character” that I absolutely didn’t expect to see again: the librarian ghost. 

The trailer, which can be viewed above, features roughly 400 characters of both the human and ectoplasmic variety — a rough numerical estimation — and I can’t wait to see most of them again. (Here’s glaring at you, Walter Peck, although I’m obviously pumped as all get out to see William Atherton’s scruffy face back in the Ghostbusters universe.) 

But while we knew Paul Rudd, Finn Wolfhard, Carrie Coon and the other Afterlife stars would be back alongside the O.G. vets like Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Ernie Hudson, I somehow didn’t anticipate more returning faves from the spiritual realm. How naive of me. Now please join me in whispering a hearty welcome back to the Ghost of Eleanor Twitty, otherwise known as The Gray Lady, otherwise known as the Librarian Ghost.

One might be inclined to think this is just a shot pulled from the first movie, but the actual look of the effects makes it clear this is new footage. Not to mention the shot of older Ray Stantz freaking out down one of the book aisles. 

You know who also looks like they could have been pulled out of the first movie and into this sequel without any time passing? Annie Potts' Janine. 

Okay, I guess it's obvious the Ghostbusters' dutiful assistant aged as much as anyone, but the blue glasses and short hair are a timeless combo. Plus she's seen in full uniform in the trailer, which is an awesome upgrade.

The trailer also brings back everyone's favorite clan of Stay Puff mini-mallows, who are as adorable as ever, and the franchise's sloppiest ghoul also makes a slishy-sloshy return as well, much to the disgust of Wolfhard's Trevor Spengler. 

In the new movie, which was inspired heavily by the animated series, the Spengler family will be uprooting from Oklahoma and making the journey to New York City, where they'll get acquainted with the iconic firehouse while helping the original Ghostbusters with their top-secret research lab. But their latest efforts may not be enough to combat the latest evil force threatening the world at large, which aims to bring the planet into a second Ice Age. 

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire will hit theaters on Friday, March 22, so have your proton-pack-shaped popcorn buckets (not very handy) ready to go. Check out all the upcoming horror movies to sate your fear hunger until then.

Thankfully for fans, one of Hollywood’s biggest supernatural franchises just won’t die, as the sequel Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is rising up the firepole as one of the most anticipated upcoming 2024 movies. The follow-up to 2021’s Ghostbusters: Afterlife looks like it’ll be a more rambunctious and delightfully evil adventure than its predecessor, and it sounds like audiences can expect a change in authority where Dan Aykroyd and Ernie Hudson’s Ray and Winston are concerned.

Though the titular group of haunting thwarters was co-founded by Aykroyd’s Ray Stantz alongside Bill Murray’s Peter Venkman and Ivan Reitman’s Egon Spengler, it sounds like this sequel is finally giving Hudson’s Winston Zeddmore a bigger and much-deserved spotlight. As it was set up in Afterlife’s ending, Winston now has the funds to bring ‘Busting back in a big way, which apparently causes a bit of professional strife with Ray.

Speaking with Empire, Dan Aykroyd offers an update for his paranormal-minded scientist, and how his own goals and intentions may run up against some friction from the Ghostbusters’ new benefactor. In his words:

I love this possibly game-changing shift in roles and duties for the O.G. Ghostbusters. With Afterlife’s story going so hard on honoring the late, great Ivan Reitman, the sequel will understandably give its living heroes a bigger tribute, with Winston seemingly earning the more lucrative status. 

So unless Ray wants to sit on the sidelines as New York City falls prey to sub-zero threats, he needs to figure out a way to convince Winston he’s still got what it takes. Even if it’s just taking on more of a mentor role for Finn Wolfhard’s Trevor and the younger generation. 

Don’t expect Winston himself to have turned into a hands-off corporate shill, however, as Ernie Hudson confirmed that his character will be playing as active a role as anyone when the ectoplasm hits the fan. As he put it:

Having Winston become a more active and foundational role in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire was very important to Ernie Hudson, is “very happy” that his character will move the story forward after years of being viewed as an add-on. I can't wait to see three different generations of actors suiting up and facing off against the mysterious Death Chill serving as the sequel's big threat. 

No big details were shared about Bill Murray's Peter Venkman, beyond Jason Reitman confirming that the comedy legend will indeed be back for the sequel. (He popped up in the first trailer, in case anyone thought he wouldn't be around.) The new movie is also set to bring back Annie Potts' Janine, as well as William Atherton's Walter Peck.

Check out the trailer for Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire below!

As one of many upcoming horror movies set to chill audiences to the core, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire will hit theaters on March 22, 2024. 

Warning! The following contains spoilers from the Quantum Leap episode "One Night In Koreatown." Read at your own risk!

Quantum Leap Season 2 has shaken up the team dynamic, as Ben's unexplained three-year absence effectively ended his relationship with Addison. With her taking a break from being the holo-assistant, others have volunteered to step up and guide the hero through other challenges to prevent disaster and him being trapped in time. Big boss man Herbert "Magic" Williams was called upon in the latest episode, and the experience made me realize how Ernie Hudson is another reason OG fans who haven't kept up need to watch this show ASAP. 

As one of the heads of the quantum leap program, Magic is always in the mix back at HQ, helping with research and problem-solving. This latest adventure showed a few shortcomings of that role and how a little more Magic in Quantum Leap would make an already phenomenal show even better. 

Magic's Struggle With Alcoholism Was A Captivating Addition To His Story

I can't express enough how much I loved Magic's wife confronting him about relapsing into alcoholism after finding his half-finished bottle of alcohol hiding at home. To this point in Quantum Leap, Magic hasn't been portrayed as anyone other than the boss who always knows what to do at the right time. When Magic said he doesn't get "rattled" due to being a former Navy Seal, I believed him because the series hasn't hinted at anything else.

Of course, the episode is constructed around Magic feeling the pressure of being responsible for Ben's success as they both witnessed the brutality of the L.A. Riots firsthand following the Rodney King verdict in 1992. The experience reminded Magic of his own past run-ins with officers in Detroit and the frustration and powerlessness felt in the situation. That, paired with the fear of failure and losing Ben again, caused a miniature breakdown that Magic needed time to work through. 

That's normal, and as a recovering addict, Magic made the right call at the end by postponing the anniversary dinner with his wife and asking if they could head to an A.A. meeting instead. Ernie Hudson really knocked it out of the park by showing a man on the brink who needed a wake-up call, and I'd love to see him deliver another performance like that in the future. 

Magic Can Have More Stories Tied To His Past With Sam Beckett

There are more opportunities to use Magic in future episodes of Quantum Leap. The character serves as the connective tissue to the original series, as Sam Beckett leaped into Magic and saved several lives during Vietnam. With questions about how Ben was lost for three years and has no recollection of what happened, could the door to Sam's whereabouts be reopened?

CinemaBlend spoke to an executive producer about that and confirmed this bombshell reveal could impact Sam Beckett's story. We also had some optimistic news about a Season 2 reference back in 2021, but really all we know for certain is that Quantum Leap won't recast Sam. 

With no meaningful updates on whether or not Scott Bakula would reprise his role for the new Quantum Leap, I'm left to wonder if this could hinder the most important Magic story yet to be told. He's just as invested in bringing Sam home as Ben, but will this series come and go without any resolution on that front? We can only continue to tune into NBC or with our Peacock Premium subscriptions to find out. 

Quantum Leap airs on NBC on Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m. ET. Season 2 is shaping up to be just as great as Season 1, if not a little better. Here's hoping we can get a little more Magic to send it over the top, and maybe some more of that painful but interesting ride that is Ben and Addison's breakup. 

Throughout the extensive history of the Ghostbusters franchise, Ernie Hudson's portrayal of Winston Zeddemore has unfortunately been met with a persistent lack of appreciation. Interestingly, it is widely known that Eddie Murphy was initially sought after for the role (just one of several roles the comedian passed on). Still, when he declined, the rumor was that Winston underwent significant changes and ultimately went to The Cowboy Way actor. While the release of the 2021 sequel Ghostbusters: Afterlife seemed to indicate a step in the right direction for Winston's character development, a recent interview with The Crow alum suggests that there are still ongoing challenges to address. Challenges that, according to the actor, the Afterlife sequel is looking to rectify. 

During a recent interview with the Sci-fi & Fantasy Gazette, Ernie Hudson discussed his return to the beloved '80s franchise alongside his original teammates. He also delved into the intriguing development of his character, who was revealed as a wealthy entrepreneur and devoted family man in Afterlife. This evolution brings Winston a newfound purpose, something Hudson believes was lacking in the first two Ghostbusters movies. The actor further expanded on this point, providing insights into the significance of Winston's role in the upcoming film, saying:

Despite encountering frustrations during the negotiation process for the franchise's recent films and reminiscing about less-than-ideal experiences while filming the 1984 sci-fi movie classic, Ernie Hudson appears to harbor no ill will towards the filmmakers involved with Jason Reitman’s massive hit legacy-quel. On the contrary, he, alongside his fellow returning cast members, is filled with excitement at the prospect of donning their iconic ghost-catching gear once again for Afterlife 2. In fact, he expressed this enthusiasm, stating:

While details about the upcoming, spirit-filled movie remain scarce, what we know about Ghostbusters: Afterlife 2 is that numerous actors from the previous film are set to return. There have even been sightings of the younger actors fully geared up on set, hinting at the exciting action to come. Additionally, Hudson is expected to reunite once again with his old cohorts, including Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Annie Potts. However, it will undoubtedly be a tough act to follow the emotionally-charged reunion that touched audiences during the final act of Ghostbusters: Afterlife.

Fans can mark their calendars for Ernie Hudson's return as Winston Zeddmore when the untitled Ghostbusters: Afterlife sequel hits the 2023 movie release schedule on December 20.

Although the 2016 Ghostbusters reboot brought back many of the original Ghostbusters actors to cameo in new roles, 2021’s Ghostbusters: Afterlife, a direct sequel to Ghostbusters II, saw those same actors reprising their original characters. That included Ernie Hudson stepping back into Winston Zeddmore’s shoes, and he’ll be among the familiar faces back for the yet-to-be-officially-titled Ghostbusters: Afterlife 2. In fact, Hudson has shared that that the upcoming sequel is “done,” while also addressing the possibility of it being delayed.

Right now, Afterlife 2 is slated on the 2023 movie release schedule for December 20, a little over two full years after its predecessor. However, given the current writers strike and the potential for an actors strike soon, there’s speculation that this movie, along with plenty of others, could end up being pushed back due to these disruptions in the creative process. Hudson addressed to ScreenRant this while revealing that Afterlife 2 has finished production:

So Ghostbusters: Afterlife 2 is “done” in the sense of shooting as of , but there’s still postproduction to get through. With just six months to go until its current release date, it would be cutting it close trying to get the sequel fully completed during normal times in Hollywood. In the midst of one strike though, if not two soon enough, that’s even more complicated to pull off, especially if Afterlife 2 ends up needing reshoots. Ernie Hudson’s heard rumblings that the movie might be pushed to 2024, but for now nothing is set in stone, and he’s just glad that principal photography has wrapped.

Although no Ghostbusters: Afterlife 2 plot details have been disclosed yet, judging by the way Ghostbusters: Afterlife ended, we can expect Winston Zeddmore to play a more prominent role this time around, as he used his money to restore the old Ecto-1 and buy back the old Ghostbusters firehouse. He’ll be joined once again by Bill Murray’s Peter Venkman, Dan Aykroyd’s Ray Stantz and Annie Pott’s Janine Melitz, although Sigourney Weaver has said she won’t be back as Dana Barrett. Additionally, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace, Paul Rudd, Logan Kim and Celeste O’Connor will all reprise their characters introduced in Afterlife, and the newcomers for the sequel include Kumail Nanjiani, Patton Oswalt, James Acaster, Mike Hughes and Emily Alyn Lind.

Gil Kenan took over directing duties for Ghostbusters: Afterlife 2 from Jason Reitman, who’s still involved as a producer and co-wrote the script with Kenan. Should it be announced that the sequel is pushed to the 2024 movie release schedule, we’ll let you know. For now, you’re welcome to stream Afterlife with a Starz add-on for your Hulu subscription.

In the long run of the Ghostbusters franchise, there’s been a sort of continued disrespect to Ernie Hudson’s Winston Zeddemore. While Ghostbusters: Afterlife seemed to begin correcting that error, a recent interview with Hudson seems to be suggesting continued troubles. Through negotiations for the most recent films, as well as past wrongs mentioned by the actor, the experience of filming the 1984 sci-fi movie classic and beyond doesn’t sound so great.

Ernie Hudson’s Stance On Ghostbusters, And How It’s Connected To Afterlife's Sequel

During an episode of The Howard Stern Wrap Up Show, interviewer Rashaan Rogers inquired about the complicated history surrounding Ernie Hudson’s role. Citing his often mentioned absence on the posters and promotional art, the Ghostbusters star connected those troubles to these current dealings for the sequel to Jason Reitman’s massive hit legacy-quel:

What seemed to change, at least in the instance of Ghostbusters: Afterlife, was a newfound respect given to Hudson’s character. The actor thanked Jason Reitman for that improvement, which saw Winston returning to the fold as a part of the old guard ushering in the new kids. Going on to make his character a successful businessman who’s planning to resurrect the entire Ghostbusters business, it felt like Ernie was getting his due. 

Looking at his new comments on the matter, it sounds as if there’s a potential for Ghostbusters history to be back to square one when it comes to a vastly overlooked team member. Should that be case, Mr. Hudson's attempts to avoid a repeat of such past history are more than justified.

The History Behind Ernie Hudson's Not-So-Great Ghostbusters Experience

Problems were a part of Ernie Hudson’s Ghostbusters experience from day one, when the role of Winston Zeddemore was drastically changed. Initially involved from the beginning of the adventure and written as a former Air Force major, it was a stronger role that compelled Hudson to sign on. By the time production started, Winston was introduced only after a good deal of hijinks had occurred with what seemed to be the core three cast members.

Ernie Hudson never faulted Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd or the late Harold Ramis for this Ghostbusters unpleasantness. Rather, as you’ll see in the video pulled from this interview, the actor sets that blame squarely on the studio:  

Many promotional photos and posters still in circulation show Murray, Aykroyd and Ramis front and center, with Hudson nowhere to be seen. Having to still point that fact out is a troubling development, especially when it could affect Ernie Hudson’s participation on Ghostbusters: Afterlife’s sequel.

As the clock ticks down to next month’s supposed start of production, all anyone can hope for is the powers that be to do good by Hudson, and his iconic member of the bustin’ team. The as-of-yet untitled sequel to Ghostbusters: Afterlife is set to hit theaters on December 23rd, so there’s presumably not a lot of time to spend with such wranglings.

The classic ‘80s sci-fi series, Quantum Leap, is one those shows that was cancelled before it could get a proper ending, much to the detriment of its loyal fans. Though the original version starring Scott Bakula as quantum physicist Dr. Sam Beckett and the late Dean Stockwell as his best friend, Al Calavicci, never got to wrap things up (either in the form of a movie or a continuation), the show itself now has a reboot series.

If you watched or plan to watch Quantum Leap following its NBC debut on Monday, September 19th, you may be wondering where you’ve seen the actors who make up the new cast before. Well, worry not, because we are about to break down why the cast of one of the most promising 2022 fall TV shows look so familiar…

Raymond Lee (Dr. Ben Song)

Raymond Lee leads the Quantum Leap cast as Dr. Ben Song, a brilliant quantum physicist, who, like Scott Bakula’s Dr. Sam Beckett, finds himself leaping from person to person through time as he attempts to right their wrongs and change their lives for the better, as well as all of history.

Those who saw Top Gun: Maverick, which absolutely crushed at the box office upon its May 2022 release, should recognize Lee from his portrayal of fighter pilot LT Logan “Yale” Lee. The actor also appeared alongside Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum earlier in the year in The Lost City.

Over on the film side of things, Lee is probably best remembered for his turn as Sam on the AMC+ streaming series, Kevin Can F**K Himself. He was also a member of the Made for Love cast, after appearing on shows like Prodigal Son, Here and Now, and Mozart in the Jungle, to name only a few.

Caitlin Bassett (Addison Augustine)

Newcomer Caitlin Bassett appears on the Quantum Leap cast as Addison Augustine, Dr. Ben Song’s guide as he is traveling from person to person throughout time. And, as the show’s first trailer suggests, before she was Ben’s hologram companion, the two shared a romantic bond of some kind.

Unlike the rest of the Quantum Leap cast who have appeared in a variety of film and TV projects over the years, the NBC reboot is Bassett’s first professional acting gig. According to NBC, Bassett was selected from over 40,000 applicants to join the 2020 ABC Discovers Talent Showcase following a seven-year stint in the military, split between U.S. Army Intelligence and the National Security Agency. After completing three combat tours during her service, Bassett began to take theater classes.

Nanrisa Lee (Jenn Chou)

Next up is Nanrisa Lee, who shows up on the Quantum Leap cast as Jenn Chou, a digital security expert who is trying to find out why Ben Song leaped into the past, as well as how to bring him back home.

Prior to landing a role on NBC’s Quantum Leap reboot, Lee made a name for herself on the Amazon original series, Bosch, a couple years before the show was cancelled by the streaming service. In the years following that, Lee has appeared on everything from The Morning Show to American Housewife and Star Trek: Picard to Promised Land, as well as a couple dozen other TV roles on shows like Grey’s Anatomy, How to Get Away with Murder, CSI: Vegas, Good Girls, and Impeachment: American Crime Story, to name a few.

In that same stretch of time, Lee has appeared in several feature films, including Tall Trees, The Happys, The Aliens, Clocking the T, 4/20, A Lot of Nothing, and First Love.

Mason Alexander Park (Ian Wright)

Then there is Mason Alexander Park, who takes on the role of Ian Wright, the intelligent computer programmer who helps the team with the “Ziggy” artificial intelligence program that Dr. Ben Song uses to leap from person to person and throughout time. 

Park landing one of the more prominent roles on NBC’s new reboot of Quantum Leap is the latest in a string of hits for the actor over the course of the past few years. In August 2022, Park joined The Sandman cast as Desire, their second major role in a Netflix original series in as many years. In 2021, Park was cast as Gren in the live-action adaptation of Cowboy Bebop, which was unfortunately cancelled after only one season. Following the cancellation of that series, the show’s cast reacted to the decision not to move forward, with Park going on Twitter to say they were gutted by the news.

Over the years, Park has also appeared on shows like The Legend of Vox Machina, Acting for a Cause, Bucket and Skinner’s Epic Adventures, and iCarly (the original, not the Paramount+ reboot), as well as several stage productions, including Mary Poppins, South Pacific, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and several others.

Ernie Hudson (Herbert ‘Magic’ Williams)

And, rounding out the main portion of the Quantum Leap cast is Ernie Hudson, who takes on the role of Herbert “Magic” Williams, the man who has been put in charge of the Quantum Leap program by the United States military.

Though he is in no need of an introduction, it’s not going to hurt anyone if we just spend some time going over Hudson’s impressive list of accomplishments on the small screen and silver screen. First and foremost is Hudson’s portrayal of Winston Zeddemore in the Ghostbusters franchise, a character that went from someone looking for a “steady paycheck” to a successful businessman who looked to be leading the next generation in the Ghostbusters: Afterlife ending. Hudson’s other prominent film appearances include The Crow, The Basketball Diaries, and The Hand That Rocks the Cradle. 

Hudson has also had a ton of success on TV throughout his career, with some of his standout roles being on shows like the HBO prison drama Oz, St. Elsewhere, Law and Order, The Secret Life of the American Teenager, Desperate Housewives, and Modern Family.

You can see these actors and more in action when Quantum Leap airs at 10 p.m. ET, Mondays on NBC. Episodes are also available to stream for those with a Peacock subscription.

Warning: SPOILERS for Ghostbusters: Afterlife are in play. If you haven’t seen the latest chapter of this sci-fi comedy legacy, you may want to trap some non-spoiler coverage from here at CinemaBlend. 

After the outpouring of love that fans have sent towards the release of Ghostbusters: Afterlife, it feels like the sci-fi/comedy franchise has been warmly welcomed back. Building a bridge to a new generation of appreciation, co-writer/director Jason Reitman’s entry into his father Ivan’s canon has checked some very important boxes. Perhaps its greatest feat is the fact that when you look at Afterlife in a certain light, it actually improves upon the original movie in a big way. 

More specifically, this movie redeems one of the original franchise’s characters thanks to new developments. Which means it’s time for those of you who haven’t seen the latest Ghostbusters movie to back out should you want to avoid spoilers. If you’ve seen the movie, or you just can’t wait to learn about what’s about to be discussed, then it’s time to go over some pretty exciting developments. 

How Did Ghostbusters: Afterlife Improve The Original Movie?

It’s not that 1984’s Ghostbusters is a faulty film, especially when you take into account just how well it works despite its intense production. However, there was one piece to the film that was altered drastically at the last minute, and it’s in the role of Winston Zeddemore (Ernie Hudson). Being massively reduced and rewritten from what was originally intended, Winston’s final form can be summed up in one line: 

Out of the four original Ghostbusters, he was the cynic, though he eventually came around to believing and made an impassioned defense to the mayor on behalf of his crew. That development in particular is improved upon in Ghostbusters: Afterlife, with Hudson himself even claiming that Jason Reitman’s efforts made Winston Zeddemore “a complete character.”  We learn that not only has Winston Zeddemore become a financial giant and a family man, but he’s the key to resurrecting the business that died off after ghosts stopped haunting and Egon Spengler ran off to save the world.

Winston Zeddemore’s Original Role In Ghostbusters

Die-hard Ghostbusters fans probably saw this coming, but it’s a subject that needs to be discussed in light of just how its legacy-quel has taken the classic ball and ran with it. When Ernie Hudson was originally offered the role of Winston, the character was an Air Force officer, a demolitions expert and a firm believer in the paranormal. Not to mention, as Hudson himself has recounted in the past, Winston was present from page 8 in the original draft; before his entrance was shifted to page 68 of the final draft.

By the time Winston Zeddemore is hired onto the team, we’ve already seen Peter Venkman (Bill Murray), Ray Stantz (Dan Aykroyd) and Egon Spengler (Harold Ramis) bond together through “establishing the indispensable defense science of the next decade.” Winston still gets some choice moments, like the scene where he and Ray discuss how biblical scripture applies to the presumed apocalypse that’s presenting itself. Still, it's not enough to override the fact that Winston Zeddemore felt more like an afterthought in the final form of the film, despite Ernie Hudson absolutely owning the role and making a memorable character out of it. 

Why Ernie Hudson’s Role Changed So Drastically

There are two factors that seem to go hand in hand when it comes to Winston Zeddemore’s role being changed so drastically. One such moment was the time when, according to an interview with Parade, Eddie Murphy turned down the role in order to make Beverly Hills Cop, rather than reteam with his Trading Places co-star Dan Aykroyd. You can’t blame the man for leaping onto a career making hit, but that choice apparently led to Mr. Zeddemore being re-written.

Which leads to the second star powered influence that saw Ernie Hudson’s part reduced. Without Murphy in the mix, Bill Murray was the largest comedy star in the lineup, especially after working with Harold Ramis and Ivan Reitman on 1981’s smash hit Stripes. Naturally the core trio of Ghostbusters were given more prominent roles, with Winston being reworked into a smaller context at the last minute; a fact that is now neutralized by Ernie Hudson’s newfound importance in the franchise hierarchy. 

The Reasons Winston Zeddemore Is Now The Most Important Ghostbuster

Ghostbusters: Afterlife is absolutely focused on the younger generation of budding paranormal experts, so it’s not like Winston became the lead of the story out of nowhere. However, once Phoebe Spengler (Mckenna Grace), her brother Trevor (Finn Wolfhard) and their ghostbusting friends find themselves in a bind, the original, surviving busters step in to save the day. Though this particular entry dealt heavily with Egon Spengler and his unfinished business, the post-credits scene establishes Winston Zeddemore as the most important Ghostbuster to the future of the series.

Now a shrewd businessman who’s been properly reunited with his friends, Winston’s status as a true believer is a redemption of past plot developments. What’s more, he’s enough of a convert that he’s the one starting to set up shop once again in the ending of Ghostbusters: Afterlife. If it wasn’t for Winston, his fortune and that pivotal moment of reuniting with his team, the coming threats in the world of the paranormal just might be a little scarier.

What This Could Mean For Future Ghostbusters Sequels?

Watching the light on the original Ghostbusters containment unit glow red wasn’t just a sign, it’s a practical stake in the ground for the tent that is potential sequels to this latest box office hit. It’s certainly not too outlandish to start looking into the future of this landmark franchise, especially in light of that success. What’s more, even Ernie Hudson himself has let it be known that Ghostbusters 4 is naturally in the works; so what does this mean for Winston Zeddemore’s role in future sequels?

As the man responsible for funding and resurrecting the Ghostbusters organization, Winston could be the guy running the show from here on out. While the younger Ghostbusters: Afterlife team continues training and growing up, Zeddemore could become someone like James Bond's M to the restored team and any further additions. What’s more, those franchising opportunities that the company had always dreamed of can finally happen in the cinematic world. At the heart of it all is Mr. Winston Zeddemore, the true believer and entrepreneur who’s ready to believe in the Ghostbusters yet again.

If you’re just read this whole rundown and haven’t seen Ghostbusters: Afterlife just yet, you’re in luck. A lot of the movie is still unspoiled for you, and you can catch it in a theater near you! No matter your status when it comes to the latest spectral spectacular at the movies, you can always head over to the 2021 release schedule and trap your next adventure in theaters!

While many people have already seen Ghostbusters: Afterlife thanks to surprise screenings at August’s CinemaCon and New York Comic Con this past weekend, the general public is still a month away from being able to watch the third entry in the main Ghostbusters film series. However, if you were worried that Afterlife would mark the final tale in this continuity, toss those fears aside. According to Ernie Hudson, Ghostbusters 4 may already be in the creative pipeline.

While speaking with Ernie Hudson, who plays Winston Zeddemore in the main Ghostbusters movies, about the third season of his series The Family Business, ReelBlend cohost and Fox 32’s Jake Hamilton asked the actor if he would do Ghostbusters 4 if they “threw” it at him. Hudson responded thusly:

Though Ghostbusters: Afterlife easily could have been a standalone tale that brought the original Ghostbusters saga to a close, from what Ernie Hudson has heard, Ghostbusters 4 is being worked on as we speak. Ok, technically this would be Ghostbusters 5 since there was 2016’s Ghostbusters, but that was a reboot set in a different continuity where Hudson and other original cast members cameoed as brand-new characters. But with the Ghostbusters franchise having now returned to the original timeline, it sounds like we’ll be sticking around here a little longer.

Obviously we’ll have to wait until next month to see how Ghostbusters: Afterlife lays the groundwork for a potential sequel, but Ernie Hudson made it clear game for another round as Winston Zeddemore, who joined the original Ghostbusters team soon after they established themselves. And he’s far from the only familiar face who shows up in Afterlife, as we are also reuniting with Bill Murray’s Peter Venkman, Dan Aykroyd’s Ray Stentz, Sigourney Weaver’s Dana Barrett and Annie Potts’ Janine Melnitz. But Afterlife is also setting up a new generation of Ghostbusters, with Mckenna Grace’s Phoebe and Finn Wolfhard’s Trevor among the younger leads. So it goes without saying they’d likely be put back in the spotlight for Ghostbusters 4.

As revealed in Ghostbusters: Afterlife’s previews, Phoebe and Trevor are the grandchildren of the late Harold Ramis’ Egon Spengler, and with their mother, Carrie Coon’s Callie, they move into a decayed farmhouse in Summerville, Oklahoma left to them by their grandfather. It doesn’t take long for the kids to learn about Egon’s ghost hunting past, and not a moment too soon, as the kids and their family and friends must soon deal with new supernatural phenomena popping up in their neck of the woods. Afterlife’s cast also includes Paul Rudd, Bokeem Woodbine, Logan Kim and Celeste O’Connor.

Ghostbusters: Afterlife opens to the masses on November 19, but you can read CinemaBlend’s review of the movie now. Naturally we’ll keep you apprised on any Ghostbusters 4 developments, but for now, browse through our 2021 release schedule and 2022 release schedule to learn what’s coming to a theater near you soon.

The history of the Ghostbusters franchise has seen Ernie Hudson’s Winston Zeddemore remembered as a crucial member of the four-man comedy team that was the heart and soul of Ivan Reitman’s ‘80s blockbuster. But the original intent for his character was changed at the last minute, reducing his role in the initial film and dropping a lot of backstory that had previously been written. Now, with Ghostbusters: Afterlife reuniting the surviving team members to usher in a new generation of paranormal experts, the next chapter in Mr. Zeddemore’s life is about to improve his character’s standing in the franchise once and for all.

During a recent appearance on Michael Rosenbaum’s Inside Of You podcast, Ernie Hudson once again discussed the fateful events that fundamentally changed Winston’s character in Ghostbusters. Hudson's got some regret for how the first film built his character, although his latest discussion of Winston’s legacy seems more lighthearted than when we’d last heard from him. In his words,

Ernie Hudson’s role in the first Ghostbusters movie was reduced almost overnight, turning his part in the 1984 film from a military hard nose with a skill set into a smart alec non-believer who’s converted through a baptism by fire. While that may have been a smart move that allowed the audience to go on a similar journey throughout the events that ensued, it came at the development of Winston Zeddemore’s initially drafted personality.

Of course, that’s not where the story ends, as Ghostbusters: Afterlife is set to make even more history with the legendary supernatural comedy saga. As the film will be addressing the absence of Harold Ramis’ Dr. Egon Spengler, there’s of course going to be the chance to draw Peter Venkman, Ray Stantz, and Winston Zeddemore into better detail. That development is even more promising after Ernie Hudson made the following comment on how Ghostbusters: Afterlife improves Winston’s fortunes:

For as long as it took a sequel like Ghostbusters: Afterlife to properly link into the lineage of the original franchise entries, the wait and the effort both sound like they’ve been worth it. Though involved in the production could say that, and there’s certainly been plenty of praise thus far, hearing Ernie Hudson give a stamp of approval to the continued evolution of Winston Zeddimore is something we’re ready to believe in. November 11, 2021 couldn’t come fast enough, as we’re anxious to see what Ghostbusters: Afterlife has in store.

When it was announced early last year that Rick Moranis was planning to unretire from acting so that he could reprise his role as Wayne Szalinski in the developing Honey, I Shrunk The Kids legacy sequel, the news was met with both celebration and a touch of confusion. While fans were happy to hear that Moranis was returning to the big screen for the developing Disney project, many wondered why he didn't make himself available for the upcoming Ghostbusters: Afterlife.

As it turns out, it may end up being a case of audiences getting their cake and eating it too, as new comments from legendary Ghostbuster Ernie Hudson suggest that Moranis popping up in the 2021 movie may not be totally off the table.

Hudson was specifically asked about the possibility of seeing a cameo by Rick Moranis during a recent interview with Living Life Fearless, it it's hard not to notice in his response that there isn't any kind of flat denial, and instead what actually sounds like a Ghostbusters: Afterlife tease. Said the actor,

Rick Moranis starred in both of the original Ghostbusters movies playing Louis Tully – the excessively nerdy accountant who is initially introduced to the story because he is a neighbor of Sigourney Weaver's Dana Barrett. In the first movie he notably ends up getting possessed by the demon Vinz Clortho a.k.a. The Keymaster, and in Ghostbusters II he is employed by the titular team as the company's in-house accountant, and also suits up for the final battle – though he ultimately doesn't really contribute much to the fight against Vigo The Carpathian.

The actor has not been in a live-action movie since 1997's Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves, as he chose to step away from Hollywood so that he could focus on raising his two children (his wife, Ann Belsky, passed away in 1991). He was previously approached to do a cameo in the Paul Feig-directed Ghostbusters that was released in 2016, but he turned it down saying that he wasn't interested in doing one day of work on a project related to a film he did 30 years prior.

That in mind, is it possible that Ghostbusters: Afterlife presented him with a different opportunity? There is every chance that we are reading into Ernie Hudson's comments way too much, but if Rick Moranis didn't want to do the last Ghostbusters movie because the part was too minor, does that mean it's possible that he will have a more substantial role to play in the Jason Reitman-directed sequel?

We don't expect that a secret part played by Rick Moranis is something that Sony is going to reveal prior to the release of Ghostbusters: Afterlife, but that just means that the real answer to the question is going to be maintained as a big screen surprise. That in mind, you'll be able to check out the new film – starring Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace, and Paul Rudd – when it arrives in theaters on November 11.

Ghostbusters fans had long hoped that a direct sequel to Ghostbusters II would happen, but instead, a Ghostbusters reboot came out in 2016. With dreams dashed, hope eventually came back in the form of Ghostbusters: Afterlife, and for many it seemed almost too good to be true. But after many years, it is indeed happening. Now, Ernie Hudson recalled the moment he knew this third film was really going to happen.

For years, Ernie Hudson has been kind of a de facto ambassador for Ghostbusters fans, going to conventions and meeting with them face-to-face. He, alongside Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd, will be returning to Ghostbusters: Afterlife, something that was sometimes considered a nigh-impossible reunion. After so many ups and downs, Ernie Hudson spoke to Yes Have Some about the moment he finally believed the Ghostbusters sequel was a sure thing:

For Ghostbusters fans, it looked fairly grim that they’d ever get a continuation to Ghostbusters II with the original cast returning, especially with the tragic passing of Harold Ramis. So Ghostbusters: Afterlife is something a lot of those fans have wanted for a while.

Of course, before Ghostbusters: Afterlife was announced, Sony tried a different approach by wiping the slate clean and rebooting Ghostbusters entirely, starring Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones as the title characters. However, that movie didn’t really excite the fanbase, received mildly positive reviews, and only did fairly well at the box office. Ernie Hudson said later:

Unfortunately for those Ghostbusters fans who have been waiting years to see a continuation to the story, they’ll have to wait a bit longer. Due to global events, Sony has pushed back Ghostbusters: Afterlife to March 5, 2021. But, while that’s bad news right now, going off what director Jason Reitman has said, in the long run, it sounds like this could be a good thing.

For more movie news, be sure to stay tuned to CinemaBlend.

After more than 20 films that have been made, and several more on the way, it seems like basically everybody is in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, well, except Keanu Reeves. At the very least, anybody who wants in the MCU must already be there, right? Well apparently not, as it turns out once and future Ghostbuster Ernie Hudson really lobbied to get himself cast in Black Panther, but he wasn't able to make it happen.

Black Panther had an all-star cast as it was, but it turns out the movie could have been even more star studded if Ernie Hudson had gotten his way. He tells Comicbook.com that he was not shy about asking Marvel Studios co-president Louis D'esposito for a job in the MCU. It turns out Hudson is a a big comic book fan and so he really wants to get a role in Marvel's universe. According to Hudson...

Ernie Hudson is using the present tense when he talks about texting the co-president of Marvel Studios, and so it seems that he's still pushing to get some sort of a role in the MCU. Honestly, Marvel may want to hurry up on that and get Hudson under contract. It sounds like he'd be just as wiling to work on a DC movie.

If you're wondering why Ernie Hudson didn't end up in a movie like Black Panther, it seems that so is Hudson. He was rumored to be in talks to play T'Challa's father at one point, which would have put him in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as early as Captain America: Civil War. But apparently the feeling was the role wasn't big enough.

The idea that the role was too small could imply that Marvel is interested in using Ernie Hudson, but that the studio wants to use him the right way, in a significant role. For what it's worth, even after being passed over in the past, it seems Hudson is still very interested if another opportunity comes along.

Well, if nothing else, there is a Black Panther 2 on the way, but with a lot of new projects like Thor: Love and Thunder and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 still in very early stages there are lots of place Ernie Hudson could find a home in the MCU.

Out of the blue yesterday came the news that a new Ghostbusters movie is on the way from director Jason Reitman, and unlike the 2016 reboot, this film would be connected to the original two films. Then today brought a nostalgic and spooky first teaser. Fans aren't the only ones excited about this long awaited continuation of the beloved franchise; the original Ghostbusters themselves are also psyched. Take a look.

Dan Aykroyd has been carrying the torch for Ghostbusters 3 and the franchise as a whole for a long time, and he's naturally going to chime in about this news. The teaser shows the iconic Ecto-1 stored away in a barn, looking as if it hasn't been used for some time. It is almost definitely going to need a tune-up, and who better than Dr. Ray Stantz himself to do it.

Ray Stantz was the one who fixed up and modified the Ecto-1 in the first place, so his mechanical skills could certainly be used to get a vehicle that's been in storage for thirty years running again. In his tweet, Dan Aykroyd makes this plain with a play on 'who ya gonna call' by letting Jason Reitman know exactly who to call.

Dan Aykroyd isn't the only original Ghostbuster who saw this hype-generating teaser either. Ernie Hudson, who played Winston Zeddemore in the first two films, also took to Twitter to react to this teaser and express his excitement. Check it out.

A hundred-foot marshmallow man is pretty big, but Ernie Hudson isn't being hyperbolic here. The return of the Ghostbusters franchise, in a movie that will be connected to the original films and will be directed by the son of Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters II director Ivan Reitman, is a big deal indeed.

It would be great to say that these reactions are indicators that these two actors will be reprising their roles for this new Ghostbusters movie, but this is still early days and this film does not have a cast yet and no official plot details have been revealed. Jason Reitman, who co-wrote the script with Monster House director Gil Kenan, said that there are surprises in store, but wouldn't reveal whether the original Ghostbusters are in the movie.

So we will have to wait and see if Stantz, Zeddemore and Venkman return. If nothing else, judging by the reactions of these two original Ghostbusters actors (Bill Murray predictably hasn't weighed in), they would likely be interested if there is a chance for them to be a part of this new movie and reprise their iconic roles.

The new Ghostbusters is set to start shooting in a few months with a summer 2020 release date in mind. Check out our 2019 release schedule for the movies you can see in the meantime. Stay tuned to CinemaBlend and we'll keep you updated on this new Ghostbusters as news develops.

When there's something strange in your neighborhood, you're probably better off calling the cops and not the Ghostbusters. While we can never expect those two to team up in real life, those two worlds will collide as Winston Zedddemore portrayer Ernie Hudson is making his way to Blue Bloods to stop another type of threat in NYC: gang violence. Unfortunately, it appears Hudson's character will be breaking more rules than crossing streams which, in this context, also sounds highly inappropriate.

As far as Blue Bloods specifics go, Ernie Hudson will take a guest-starring role in an upcoming episode as a disgruntled school principal named Darryl whose school is a frequent victim of gang violence. His frustration eventually reaches a point of action, and Darryl will go to "extreme measures" in trying to make a difference with his school's tumultuous atmosphere. It wasn't specifically stated what Hudson's character will do, but it was said he will confront the kids "in a language they understand best," which sounds intense. EW writes that Blue Bloods fans can expect to see Hudson on the series sometime in 2018.

Until then, we can only speculate on what Ernie Hudson's Darryl does that requires Tom Selleck's Frank Reagan and others to get involved. The "language" part of that statement directly implies spoken words, but given all the overarching issues in New York City, it doesn't seem likely a case file would be opened because a school principal talked smack to a kid. Perhaps Hudson's character threatens a student with a gun? That doesn't seem like something that's out of the realm of possibility if we stretch "language" a bit, but at the same time, a school principal should definitely know guns don't belong in schools. That said, maybe things have been escalated to a state where he feels that's the only way to bring peace back to the school. It should be interesting, however it goes.

While Ghostbusters is one of the crown jewels of Ernie Hudson's resume, he's been quite busy in Hollywood and has had scores of television appearances since ending his time in the franchise. Most recently, Hudson was featured in the revival of Twin Peaks and is a recurring character in the Netflix original Grace and Frankie. With his upcoming guest role on Blue Bloods, Hudson gets another big notch in his belt, and hopefully the continued admiration of fans. Blue Bloods is consistently one of the most-watched shows of any given year, so he's probably got a lot of fans in that audience.

Catch a new episode of Blue Bloods on CBS on Friday nights at 10:00 p.m. ET. For a look at what's coming up in television in 2018 besides Ernie Hudson, head on over to our midseason premiere guide. Those who still think 2017 has some shows left in the tank before saying goodbye aren't wrong, and all those shows can still be found in our fall premiere guide. For a list of shows in 2017 that didn't make the mark for renewal and got canceled, visit our cancellation guide.

After spending years in development hell, it looks like The Crow franchise will finally be reborn with Corin Hardy's The Crow Reborn. That said, it seems like one key member of the original doesn't want to return. Last night I had the pleasure of sitting down with Ernie Hudson at an event celebrating the launch of a new Ghostbusters-themed line of Reebok Classics for Stranger Things Season 2. We eventually took a break from everyone's favorite paranormal hunters to talk about one of our favorite paranormal heroes, and Hudson admitted that he's not interested in reprising his role as Albrecht because, in his eyes, The Crow character ends with the death of Brandon Lee. Hudson tells us:

This is not an uncommon attitude among many fans of the original entry in The Crow franchise. The death of Brandon Lee (the result of a malfunctioning prop gun) has become an infamous moment in film history, and it has cast a notable shadow over the legacy of The Crow. Ernie Hudson recognizes that The Crow is a franchise that has persisted in the wake of Lee's death, but returning to his role as Albrecht might prove a bit too emotional for him if Sony asks him to do so.

Personally, I do have to say that it was powerful to sit across from Ernie Hudson and hear him say those words. There's quite a bit of fan excitement about a properly handled version of The Crow Reborn (particularly if Aquaman's Jason Momoa remains attached as the film's lead), but speaking to Ernie Hudson about it conveys the sense that the passing of Brandon Lee has genuinely weighed on him. It certainly helps put some of the opposition to a remake into perspective.

Of course, Ernie Hudson isn't naïve about the nature of show business. He continued our conversation by explaining that, if he does show up in The Crow sequel, it will be because the check cleared. Hudson explained:

As The Crow Reborn continues to develop at Sony Pictures, CinemaBlend will bring you any and all relevant updates related to the project. Until then, you can take a look at our 2017 movie premiere guide and our 2018 movie premiere guide, and check out Stranger Things' awesome homage to Ghostbusters when the hit series returns to Netflix on October 27.

Beyond that, click over to the next page to see even more photos from last night's Ghostbusters/Stranger Things shoe launch in Los Angeles!

Ghostbusters became an instant classic when it was released in 1984, and because of the iconic status of that original movie there are a lot of pissed fans who hate the idea of the rebooted Ghostbusters that’s due to be released this summer. I mean, like, super pissed. But, the film has gotten some positive reviews from the stars of the first production. Ernie Hudson, who played Winston Zeddemore in the film, has now spoken out about his feelings for the new movie.

Ernie Hudson spoke with the MPW Digital TV Celebrity Hotline and talked to the hosts about his experience working on the new film toward the end of the interview. Hudson was clearly impressed with his time on the set of the movie and what’s been done with this new iteration of the classic story.

Ghostbusters, of course, deals with a pioneering team of ghost-stopping scientists who try to keep the specters from completely taking over New York City. The first team was made up of Ernie Hudson, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis. The new ghost-busting team is made up of an all-female cast which comprises comedy superstar Melissa McCarthy and Saturday Night Live alums or current members Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones.

A significant portion of the negative buzz for the film stems simply from the fact that the film was re-made at all. People do not like having their favorites messed with, and they can be very vocal about just the idea of a classic being subjected to a remake. The general feeling is that it ruins the legacy of the original film, and also that these remakes tend to be unnecessary. Even movies that aren’t really considered classics get negative word-of-mouth because movie buffs see the remake/reboot trend as Hollywood being lazy.

Ernie Hudson seems to think that the new film will work since the women in the cast have a "great camaraderie and chemistry" that will be readily apparent once people get into the theater for the newfangled Ghosbusters. The problem, of course, is that there are a ton of people who don’t plan to give the film a chance. When the trailer was released, YouTube was inundated with negative comments. So many, in fact, that the new Ghostbusters trailer has the not-great distinction of being the most disliked trailer in the history of the channel.

Since the producers of the new film were willing to give Ernie Hudson, and the other original stars, cameos in the movie, he was unlikely to say anything bad about Ghostbusters 2.0. So, time will tell if audiences are actually going to give it a shot. Well, what do you think? Is Hudson’s opinion enough to get you into the theater? Let us know in the comments.

Twin Peaks has been coming together over at Showtime for what feels like forever, but this morning the subscription cable network finally stated the series is moving forward. In fact, principal photography has apparently finished on the series already, and the show is moving forward to achieve that 2017 premiere date we started hearing about numerous months ago. Along with Showtime's principal photography announcement, the network revealed a slew of cast members, including a ton of names who appeared on the original series and a slew of brand new--and super famous--cast members. You can check out a sampling of the crazy names you’ll be able to see, below.

Yes, those names include Ernie Hudson, who is most famous for being an original Ghostbuster but who recently appeared on an episode of Modern Family and will be returning to TV to appear in Twin Peaks when Showtime’s revival eventually hits the airwaves. In the meantime, the actor is expected to appear in Paul Feig’s upcoming Ghostbusters revival, as well.

Which brings us to Laura Dern, who is currently doing voice work for the Netflix series F is for Family and who starred in Enlightened on other subscription cabler HBO just a few years ago. She’s still most famous for feature film work like Jurassic Park or The Fault in our Stars and we can’t wait to see what she will do in the world David Lynch created.

But just in case seeing a bunch of big acting names isn’t enough, there’s also the shocking inclusion of some people who are famous for non-acting, including Trent Reznor, who is mostly known for creating music for Nine Inch Nails or for composing the music for a slew of soundtracks including Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. He’s done some minor acting before in Recycled and Light of Day, but not in anything that’s as big of a deal as Twin Peaks. Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder is also attached to Twin Peaks as a cast member, making this whole thing even weirder.

We've known for a while that Amanda Seyfried and a few other big names would be attached to the new series, which will pick up 25 years after the events in the original ABC drama. However, we didn’t know the extent of all of the names attached until now. In fact, there are 217 people that have been cast in Showtime’s upcoming Twin Peaks series, including but not limited to a bunch of actors and actresses like David Duchovny, Sherilyn Fenn, Kyle MacLachlan, Ray Wise, Harry Dean Stanton, Madchen Amick, Michael Horse and Everett McGill will be back. A few people, including Michael Ontkean, will not be returning for the new series.

Interestingly, the casting notice also features Catherine E. Coulson, who actually died in 2015. I’m not sure how the show has figured out how to get the actress in, but I’m certainly interested to see how the whole thing plays out. Unfortunately, while all of this casting news is exciting, it will still be quite some time before we get new episodes of the cult hit on Showtime. For now, you can see what Showtime and the other networks have coming up with our TV premiere schedule.

It’s more than likely that if you frequent websites of this ilk you’re aware that there’s a Ghostbusters remake heading our way this summer. You also probably heard of the massive backlash it caused when it was announced that the four jumpsuit-wearing paranormal investigators would all be women. That was a bit of a to-do. Some of the original cast members were on board with this right away, but one who took a while to warm up was Ernie Hudson, though it appears he has developed quite an affection for the new crew.

Like the other surviving members of the original quartet, Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd, as well as Sigourney Weaver and Annie Potts, Ernie Hudson also filmed a cameo for director Paul Feig’s Ghostbusters. Originally when the plan to make the Ghostbusters women was announced, Hudson was the most vocally opposed, but talking to People recently, he praised the new cast. He said:

While the original Ghostbusters was made up of Ernie Hudson, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and the late Harold Ramis, the new spirit hunters are played by Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Leslie Jones, and Kate McKinnon. While we know that all four of these actresses are hilarious on their own, at least according to Hudson, they also play well together.

That shouldn’t be entirely surprising. Melissa McCarthy and Kristen Wiig worked together, and with director Paul Feig, on Bridesmaids with fantastic comedic results. And Wiig, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones have all served time on Saturday Night Live, where both Jones and McKinnon are current cast members and have appeared in countless sketches together. Still, it’s nice to hear and such and endorsement should hopefully go some ways to convincing some naysayers that Ghostbusters will actually be good.

When the news of an all female Ghostbusters was announced, Ernie Hudson was the most critical of the original cast members. Bill Murray was all in favor on the idea right away, though we suspect it had something to do with the fact that now people would stop asking him if he was going to be in Ghostbusters 3. Hudson said he didn’t think fans wanted to see an all female group of Ghostbusters, and wondered, if they went that direction and the film had no connection to the first two movies, why even call it Ghostbusters?

Granted, I don’t think we expected Ernie Hudson to come out and crap all over the new Ghostbusters, but it certainly looks like he has changed his stance on the film. We’ll see how funny it is for ourselves when Ghostbusters hits theaters July 15.

Paul Feig's new Ghostbusters cast has touched off a firestorm of reaction across the internet, with both sides of the aisle being represented in force. Even Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd have given their blessing and their enthusiasm to the Paul Feig directed, female oriented reboot. Of course, with any reboot, there's the member of the original cast that isn't completely on board. That member was Ernie Hudson, or at least he was until he was reached for further comment this past week, which resulted in a complete 180.

The Wrap reached out to Hudson, one of the original Ghostbusters cast members, and they got him to break his self imposed "no comment" edict he issued through Twitter on Wednesday. Not only did they get a comment, they were witnesses to Ernie Hudson's official reversal of opinion on the whole female Ghostbusters idea. When asked, Hudson responded:

This is completely on the other side of the coin from Ernie Hudson's previous take on the matter, as he was on record as saying that the Paul Feid/Katie Dipold screenplay was a bad idea that fans didn't want to see. My, how the four months between Hudson's dismissal of the idea and his eventual acceptance have made a huge difference, as it's still a bit difficult to understand just how the man who brought Winston Zeddmore to life could have gone from hating to loving the idea in such a small time.

The answer, perhaps, lies in the cast that's been selected for the new Ghostbusters. After all, Hudson did say that if they were going for an all-female picture, he hoped that the ladies involved would be really funny. With the line up of Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, and Lesile Jones firmly planted in the Feig wheelhouse, there's a good chance that Ernie Hudson saw the names, had to give himself some time to make peace with the fact that Ghostbusters has changed as a franchise, and ultimately grinned and bared it.

Opinions sometimes change as quickly as they form, and Ernie Hudson wouldn't be the first person to have rowed back on a controversial statement they made against the resurrection of a franchise he's held near and dear to his professional heart. Whether the talent involved has truly impressed him, or he continues to hope that he'll be drafted into the new Ghostbusters film after all, Ernie Hudson closes the loop on the original Ghostbusters giving their stamp of approval to the next generation's much scarier effort.

Ghostbusters is rebooting its proton packs for a July 22, 2016 release date. Ernie Hudson better call his agent, if he hopes to make it into the film.

After thirty years of Ghostbusters history, you could probably recite the film's lines word for word. You know all of the characters backwards and forwards, and have your favorite Ghostbuster picked out, along with catchphrase and moment of greatness. That said, there's still always been a bit of imbalance in the Ghostbuster house, as the main trio of Ray, Peter, and Egon have always had the spotlight, leaving the fourth Ghostbuster – Winston Zeddemore – in the dust. For those of you who are huge fans of Ernie Hudson's equally iconic performance, this story's for you, as we've learned more about the Winston that should have been.

Entertainment Weekly invited Hudson to contribute to their reunion issue with a column explaining the history behind the original draft of Winston's character in the film. The details that we could have gotten out of who was originally meant to be an equal to the three "classic" Ghostbusters are enough to make us want to read this presumably lost (or hard to find) draft of the script.

In the original shooting draft, which was the draft that Ernie Hudson rehearsed with the cast for three weeks in New York after taking the job, Winston was, "an Air Force major something, a demolitions guy. It was great."

Winston was with the team from the start, given pretty much equal time and equal badass billing. That all changed when Hudson and team were given a new draft. A draft where instead of Winston playing an integral part to the team, he was sidelined. According to Hudson:

The reason for that sidelining was one that plenty of actors before and after Hudson have encountered from time to time: the studio had a "name" actor they wanted to push, and push him they did. Through this process we were given the version of Ghostbusters we all know and love. The one where the studio pushed Bill Murray's Peter Venkman to the forefront, and completely cashed in on Murray's undeniable star power. It's hard to be mad, considering that the film that resulted was a beautiful classic. However, now knowing how hard Ernie Hudson pleaded to get his equal status back, it paints the film in a bittersweet light.

Nothing sucks more when an actor worthy of a gig gets short changed in one way or another. While Hudson doesn't regret taking the role, and still loves being a part of the cast, it's hard as a fan to know that we could have had more moments like Winston and Ray in the car all throughout the original Ghostbusters. Sure, Winston was somewhat more integrated in the Ghostbusters II storyline, but by then it was too late. Still, Ernie Hudson's closing remarks best sum up his position on the Ghostbusters franchise, as well as his career at large:

Quentin Tarantino and/or Christopher Nolan, this is where you should come in. Let's give Ernie Hudson his due, and give him that one, brilliant role he's always wanted.

The Ghostbusters cast have reunited for a preposterously delightful image that will instantly warm the heart of anyone who has ever even seen a proton pack. Look at it and instantly feel happy.

Told you! Entertainment Weekly got the old gang back together for their reunions issue, and their front cover has Bill Murray, Ernie Hudson, Dan Aykroyd and Sigourney Weaver each smiling and looking overjoyed to be back in the presence of one another. The publication also convinced director Ivan Reitman and co-star Annie Potts to once again don the famous Ghostbusters attire (though that's currently only available in print), and they all recalled numerous tales from their time together onset. Of course, this is all happening thanks to the fact that 2014 is the year we celebrate Ghostbusters' 30th birthday. The magazine will hit shelves on Friday, and it promises to be a must-read for anyone with even a passing interest in the franchise.

The world is simply a better place when Ghostbusters is on. But this wasn’t the only Ghostbusters reunion story of the day. Oh no. The cast also appeared on the Today show on Wednesday morning after its host, Al Roker, interviewed them during their Entertainment Weekly photo shoot to celebrate the film’s 30th anniversary. During Roker’s chat with the ensemble, he asked why the long touted third installment to the franchise had never materialized. At first, Bill Murray deadpanned, "I say the money’s not right," before he then went on to seriously note, "It’s really hard to recreate something that was so beautiful, so wonderful."

Murray went on to mention the planed all female Ghostbusters reboot, which recently had Bridesmaids director Paul Feig announced as its director. This provoked Sigourney Weaver to come up with two rather ingenious titles for the film, as she suggested that it should be called either Ghostbabes or Ghostbuster Babes. I think the film’s fan-base would destroy the internet with their wrath if either was actually chosen, though. All the same, I still enjoy the warming glow of this cover.

Of course, one man who couldn’t attend the reunion was Harold Ramis. Not only was he a co-writer for the film alongside Dan Aykroyd, but he starred as the beloved parapsychologist Dr Egon Spengler too. Harold Ramis sadly died earlier this year, but before his untimely passing he was able to reconcile with Bill Murray, with whom he had fallen out with during the production of Groundhog Day. There is one question that looms large over this Ghostbusters reunion though: where is Rick Moranis? I know he retired from show business, but it still would have been nice to see him as part of this reunion.

So far, the reaction to an all-female Ghostbusters has been mixed, at best. Some love the idea of hysterical actresses suiting up for a ghost-busting horror comedy. Others are opposed to calling it Ghostbusters if it isn’t going to have any ties to the original two films. But what do the actual Ghostbusters believe? This may shock you.

Ernie Hudson worked the PR trail on behalf of Ghostbusters a while back, and talked to anyone that he could about a third installment in the series. Now that we know that the next Ghostbusters movie is going to be a reboot, though, Hudson has told the UK Telegraph that he’s against the idea… and he thinks fans will oppose it, as well. He said:

I kind of want to chastise Ernie Hudson for this close-minded reaction to Paul Feig’s Ghostbusters, but a lot of comments under the story on our site reflected these sentiments. Why call it Ghostbusters if it won’t trace back to the first films? Why not be its own thing? The answer, naturally, is because the name Ghostbusters carries a significant amount of marketing power, and a lot of people will check the new movie out just to see how it lives up to (or fails) the legacy of the first two movies. And later in the interview, Hudson softens his stance – while also showing that his comments were more than a little self-serving:

There it is. The truth. But you know that Ernie Hudson will be in a theater, watching the next Ghostbusters when it comes out, because he’s going to be curious to see how they treated his baby. He’s going to want to see how his legacy has survived.

We know that Bill Murray is all for a female Ghostbusters movie. And we now know that Ernie Hudson’s kind of opposed. I can’t wait for Dan Aykroyd to comment on the new film. His is the next shoe to drop. Care to wager what his reaction might be?

With the sad passing of comedy legend Harold Ramis yesterday, many movie fans wondered what it would mean for the seemingly always in-development Ghostbusters 3. The project was already moving forward without Bill Murray attached, but now will they make the film with just Dan Aykroyd and Ernie Hudson? The answer to that question appears to be "yes," as The Hollywood Reporter has learned that Sony has plans to rework the script that they have been developing.

Sources have told the trade that director Ivan Reitman is going to be meeting with the heads of the studio to figure out exactly how they will move forward. Apparently the idea for the script was to have Ramis, Murray, Aykroyd and Hudson make cameo appearances in the second sequel and then "set up a baton-passing to a trio of newcomers," but that doesn't seem to work anymore. Instead, the script - which was written by Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupinitsky - will have to be rewritten.

At the same time, other sources tell THR that Ramis' tragic death actually won't have too much of an effect of the story, saying, "He was always great to bounce something off of, and that will certainly be missed. But it won't affect the script."

Adding another layer to this story, TMZ caught up with Ernie Hudson yesterday, and when the actor was asked if there was any future for Ghostbusters 3 he said, "Well there can't be another Ghostbusters without Harold. It will be a Ghost- something, but it won't be... That was always my fear - that something would happen before we all got together." Basically, it doesn't sound like he is too on-board with this project anymore.

It's hard to say exactly where things stand with Ghostbusters 3 now. The original cast seems split, but the studio wants to move forward. THR says that no actor deals have been inked yet, which means that the movie is still probably very much in the development phase, but it should be the center of a lot of attention in the coming weeks.

As always, though, there is the big question: do we really want a Ghostbusters 3? How have the new circumstances changed the way you feel about the project? Answer our poll and relive some of the magic of the first two films in the trailers below.

This poll is no longer available.

Harold Ramis' death has likely left many of us feeling a mixture of sadness and fond amusement as we grieve but also remember some of his best work in comedy. For those of us who grew up believing that regular scientists could achieve superhero status with the right equipment on their backs, Ramis' face may be best associated with his role as Egon Spengler in Ghostbusters, and it's that film that MegaCynics referenced in their cartoon to pay tribute to Ramis...

The picture shows a ghosty Harold Ramis hovering over the ghost trap, while the other three wave goodbye. One stands just inches away from the pedal on the floor that would shut the trap. Ray, Pete and Winston look sad, but I like that there's a small smile on Egon's face.

Among the other fans reacting to Ramis' death is President Obama himself, who -- according to NBC News -- issued a statement reacting to the actor/director's passing, stating that Ramis was one of America's greatest satirist and a proud product of Chicago's Second City. He went on to specify some of the movies he and First Lady Michelle Obama remember best...

Ghostbusters director Ivan Reitman and Ramis' co-star Dan Aykroyd's statements were shared by EW. Of Ramis' passing, Aykroyd said he was "Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of my brilliant, gifted, funny friend, co-writer/performer and teacher Harold Ramis. May he now get the answers he was always seeking."

Ramis not only starred in Ghostbusters, but he also co-wrote it. Reitman spoke fondly of Ramis' ability to understand what was funny.

Ernie Hudson told TMZ that "Harold was the glue. There wouldn't be a Ghostbusters without Harold Ramis. Harold pulled it together. And I know I wouldn't probably be in the business, had I not had the chance to work with Harold at that time in my career. He taught me a lot." Hudson went on to say that there "Can't be another Ghostbusters without Harold."

And then there's Bill Murray's statement -- via Time -- in which he cites some of the projects they did together (Meatballs, Stripes, Caddyshack, Ghostbusters and Groundhog Day among them) and goes on to say, "He earned his keep on this planet. God bless him."

It's a simple statement, but it says a lot.

I like to think that making someone laugh from the heart leaves an imprint on them, and if that's true then Harold Ramis' contributions to this world run a bit deeper than simply making his mark on cinema history. He affected people, and that kind of contribution is lasting. As someone who grew up watching his movies, I have no doubt that some of my sense of humor was shaped by films like Groundhog Day and Ghostbusters, so I'm especially grateful for what Ramis gave us, and I know I'm not alone. You can read Sean O'Connell's tribute to Ramis here.

Our thoughts go out to Ramis' friends and family in their time of loss.