Netflix's New Ghostbusters Series Sets Official Release Window With Original Star Returning
The release window has been revealed for Netflix's upcoming Ghostbusters TV show, as well as an original cast member who's returning to the franchise in a brand-new role. The new Ghostbusters animated series from Sony Pictures Animation will be released in 2027, according to Netflix, and will see Dan Aykroyd come back as an executive producer. Not only did Aykroyd play Ray Stantz in 1984's Ghostbusters, but he also co-wrote the screenplay with Harold Ramis. The actor reprised the role in 1989's Ghostbusters II, 2021's Ghostbusters: Afterlife and 2024's Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. In the 2016 reboot film, Aykroyd made a cameo as a taxi driver and served as an executive producer, a behind-the-scenes role he continued for Afterlife and Frozen Empire. Joining Aykroyd as executive producers are Ben Hibon, Elliott Kalan, Jason Reitman, Gil Kenan and Amie Karp.
This isn't the first time the franchise has launched a Ghostbusters TV show. Back in 1986, ABC premiered The Real Ghostbusters, an animated series that aired for six seasons and earned an 83% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Original film stars Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, Rick Moranis and Annie Potts did not reprise their roles for The Real Ghostbusters; instead, the characters of Ray Stantz, Peter Venkman, Harold Ramis, Louis Tully and Laura Summer were voiced by Frank Welker, Lorenzo Music/Dave Coulier, Maurice LaMarche, Rodger Bumpass and Laura Summer, respectively. Then, in 1997, another animated show called Extreme Ghosbusters aired for one season in syndication with voice actors Billy West, Rino Romano, Tara Strong, Alfonso Ribeiro, Jason Marsden, Maurice LaMarche and Pat Musick. When Netflix's Ghostbusters series premieres in 2027, it will mark the 30th anniversary of Extreme Ghostbusters and the 43rd anniversary of the franchise as a whole. Plot details have not been revealed yet, other than the fact that it will take place in the Ghostbusters universe. Cast members haven't been announced either, which means it's unknown at this point whether Aykroyd will have a voice role outside of serving as an executive producer.
Before creating Ghostbusters, which centers on a team of parapsychologists that sets out to capture ghosts, Aykroyd was best known as a cast member and writer on Saturday Night Live and starred in The Blues Brothers. Outside of these roles, his credits also include Trading Places, Dragnet, Caddyshack II, Driving Miss Daisy, My Girl, Chaplin, Coneheads and Soul Man. His work as a writer on SNL earned him an Emmy and multiple nominations. Now Aykroyd has returned to the world of Ghostbusters with Netflix's upcoming animated series. The franchise will expand further with an animated movie and a Frozen Empire sequel.
Release Date
June 8, 1984
Runtime
105 Minutes
