Sometimes, a call goes out that must be answered. In the case of the latest Ghostbusters movie, directed by Jason Reitman, one of those calls went out to a rather interested party. Which is why today, we’re proud to show you the video of Paul Rudd, standing in front of a rather familiar location, confirming that he’ll be part of the Ghostbusters’ franchise future:
As he stood in front of the firehouse for FDNY 8, better known as the home base for the original 1984 Ghostbusters team, Paul Rudd got a little philosophical on the audience. Watching people taking their pictures in front of this hallowed ground of fandom, Rudd eventually steps into frame and kids around with a couple jokes involving sliming himself. You know, as he's wont to do.
This is pretty big news, as the Avengers: Endgame actor was previously mentioned as being in “final negotiations” for the role of a teacher in this new Ghostbusters sequel. With his casting, Rudd joins The Leftovers’ Carrie Coon, Stranger Things’ Finn Wolfhard, and Annabelle Comes Home’s Mckenna Grace as part of the brand new members of the franchise’s family.
While a new central family of protagonists is in play with this Ghostbusters sequel, there’s also some familiar faces coming back into the picture. This isn’t a surprise, as Dan Aykroyd has confirmed previously that this new film was going to have deep ties to the original classics in the canon.
Those ties can already be seen in Dan Aykroyd’s casting in the new Ghostbusters film, alongside Bill Murray and Sigourney Weaver. Presumably playing the roles that they all made famous in both Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters II, Paul Rudd’s casting might be headed in a certain direction. Especially if his tone in the confirmation video above is any indication.
With Peter Venkman and Dana Barrett both in play, there’s a possibility that Dana’s son from Ghostbusters II may have hung around Venkman enough throughout his formative years, becoming a smartass extraordinaire himself. Or, on the other side of the Rudd-ian coin, he may have signed on to become a smarmy antagonist in the vein of William Atherton’s Walter Peck; which put his humor chops on the opposing side of the new Ghostbusters heroes.
Possibilities abound with this new casting in play, and when we find out more official details about what’s at stake, we’ll be able to better see just how Paul Rudd fits in. What is certain though is that if the powers that be behind this new Ghostbusters flick thought Paul Rudd was perfect for his respective role, then it’s surely going to be an entertaining addition to this already classic canon of supernatural comedy.
The new Ghostbusters film is currently slated to be released on July 17, 2020; alongside the Spider-Man spin-off Morbius, as well as the Christopher Nolan spy thriller Tenet.
