Ernie Hudson expresses his satisfaction with the return of the Ghostbusters franchise to its original setting in New York City in the latest installment, Frozen Empire, following a brief detour to Oklahoma in the 2021 film, Afterlife.
Opening in theaters on Friday, the third installment of the supernatural comedy series, which originated in 1984, showcases the iconic team consisting of Winston, Peter, Ray, and Janine. Once again, they operate from a Manhattan firehouse and embark on a mission to rescue New York from terrifying paranormal activities.
This time, they receive support from the family of their late friend Egon, which includes his daughter, Callie (played by Carrie Coon), his son Trevor (played by Finn Wolfhard), and his daughter Phoebe (played by Mckenzie Grace). Joining them is Callie’s boyfriend, Gary (played by Paul Rudd). Kumail Nanjiani and Patton Oswalt are also part of the cast, bringing their comedic talents to the screen.
Hudson, 78, expressed in a recent phone interview with UPI, that being back home feels almost the same.
The Los Angeles actor, who has grandchildren living in New York, expressed excitement about having another installment of the movie. He shared his love for the script and mentioned that it brings the story closer to the original. According to him, New York offers unique possibilities that cannot be found anywhere else, and he believes that this essence is captured in the film.
According to him, the city serves as a gateway, so it is crucial to prevent evil from spreading there.
“If New York falls, the rest of the world is doomed,” Hudson declared, his voice filled with a mix of concern and determination. “Deep down, we all know that New York is an unparalleled city, the pinnacle of greatness. That’s the narrative we cling onto, even in the face of adversity.”
Walter, the Ghostbusters’ long-standing adversary from the Environmental Protection Agency, makes a triumphant return in this highly-anticipated sequel. Now serving as the mayor, Walter holds a deep grudge against the heroes, disapproving of their unconventional methods that have been known to cause damage to buildings and property.
Despite the on-screen friction between their characters, Hudson expressed his enthusiasm in reuniting with his close friend, Atherton.
“I absolutely adored him in the initial film. His underwear might be a tad snug, but he remains that delightful individual, and he’s got a score to settle with the Ghostbusters because his life is completely upended. He enters with an attitude,” Hudson added. “However, deep down, he acknowledges that without us, all hope is lost.”
Hudson expressed his delight in witnessing the enduring wit and humor of the veteran Ghostbusters cast members, many of whom are in their 70s.
“I believe I may be older than all the gentlemen on set, including Bill Atherton, but witnessing men of a certain age arrive on set and exude a remarkable level of professionalism fills me with a sense of pride,” he expressed.
After a hiatus of 32 years between the release of “Ghostbusters 2” in 1989 and “Afterlife,” Hudson expressed uncertainty about the possibility of donning his Ghostbusters suit once more.
“It felt like an eternity,” he reminisced, “I never thought that movie would come to fruition.”
In Afterlife, Hudson, Murray, and Aykroyd played important supporting roles. However, the movie mainly centered around the family of Egon, portrayed by the late Harold Ramis. The family embarked on their own thrilling adventures in the American Southwest.
The trio, along with Potts, takes center stage once again in “Frozen Empire”.
“This has been a part of my life for 40 years. It’s as much a part of my identity as anything,” expressed Hudson, emphasizing the enduring impact the movie has had on him. He mentioned that he never tires of the genuine enthusiasm from fans who quote lines of dialogue or proudly display their tattoos commemorating the film.
“It was an incredible experience to continue the story, and I must say, I am truly amazed by the overwhelming support from fans over the years. It’s heartwarming to see how they have embraced the series and passed it down to their own families, sharing the magic with their children and grandchildren,” he expressed. “I genuinely enjoyed every moment of working on it, and my hope is that the fans will feel the same level of love and excitement.”
According to Hudson, he is eager for the franchise to persist as there is an abundance of ghost stories in the world.
“I hope that if this project succeeds, we can expand into other narratives,” he expressed. “I would be thrilled to witness its expansion into different regions and communities. This could potentially mark the beginning of new ventures. However, even if that doesn’t happen, I am grateful to have contributed to what we have achieved so far.”
While Hudson had a great time working on “Afterlife” and “Frozen Empire,” he couldn’t help but miss his dear friend Ramis, who was a constant source of support in the first two movies. Unfortunately, Ramis passed away in 2014 at the age of 69.
“I always associate Ghostbusters with Harold. His influence can be seen in every aspect,” Hudson expressed.
According to the speaker, Harold had a unique ability to bring people together. The speaker mentioned that there were moments when tensions ran high and it felt like everyone was going to go their separate ways. However, Harold was always there to provide a sense of stability and offer practical advice.
According to Hudson, the new cast members are absolutely incredible. She particularly mentioned how adorable and funny Nanjiani is, expressing her admiration for Rudd whom she has been a fan of for years.
“He is incredibly humble and has a genuine down-to-earth nature, which adds to his exceptional skills,” expressed Hudson. “It’s truly gratifying to witness the Ghostbusters franchise evolve and grow.”
In 2024, another iconic film that Hudson starred in will be celebrating a significant milestone, alongside the 40th anniversary of the original Ghostbusters.
The Crow, a dark romance-revenge drama, made its debut in 1994.
The film’s bittersweet cult-classic status was heightened by the untimely death of its leading man, Brandon Lee, who tragically lost his life during a production mishap on the set. Adapted from the graphic novel of the same name, the film has become a beloved favorite among fans.
In the movie, Hudson portrayed the role of Daryl, a detective with the Detroit police. He was determined to bring the perpetrators to justice for the brutal murder of Eric and his fiancée Shelly, played by Lee and Sofia Shinis, respectively.
Several sequels and a TV series with different casts followed the film.
Bill Skarsgard and FKA Twigs are set to star in a highly anticipated remake, which is scheduled for release on June 7th.
Hudson expressed his deep affection for “The Crow,” stating that the film will forever hold a special place in his heart.
According to Hudson, “Ghostbusters” has a wide appeal, transcending generations. It is loved by both young children and older individuals. However, he notes that “The Crow” has a different kind of following. It seems to resonate with a specific stage in people’s lives, particularly during their teenage and young adult years, when they are going through personal experiences and can relate to the themes of the movie.
“I take great pride in the movie, although it’s difficult to separate it from the tragic loss of Brandon during its production,” he expressed. “When I reflect on the film, I can’t help but remember his exceptional talent and the immense potential he possessed. It’s a bittersweet experience filled with a myriad of emotions.”
Hudson revealed that he has been approached multiple times to reprise his role from the film in various adaptations. He made it clear that he holds no grudges towards other interpretations, but he hasn’t felt the desire to revisit that particular world.
“Hudson claimed that Brandon embodied the spirit of the Crow,” he said.
“He added that he believes Brandon would have been extremely proud of the movie, expressing his happiness that people have taken such a strong liking to it.”
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