Summary
- Gil Kenan wants Phoebe Spengler to be the main character in a possible
Ghostbusters 6
. - The focus is on continuing the series as a family saga with Phoebe at the forefront.
- Kenan emphasizes the importance of shifting focus to a central character in the franchise to differentiate the series going forward.
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire director Gil Kenan already knows who the main character of Ghostbusters 6 would be if another movie were to be made. The newest entry in the franchise continues the story of the Spengler family as they take over ghost-busting operations in New York City. The film also introduces a new villain in the form of an ancient diety that uses ice to kill people.
Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter just before Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire‘s release, Kenan revealed a possible Ghostbusters 6 would continue the story with Phoebe Spengler at the forefront. The director explained the importance of the franchise’s legacy, and why she is central to its future. Check out what Kenan had to say below:
If we’re lucky enough to get to tell another one of these films, Jason and I are primed and ready to continue the Phoebe Spengler saga. We agree that the single most important decision we had to make at the start of this process was to take this from something that was a group of people who came together with a shared purpose, which was starting a business, to making it about a family saga with one character at the center of it. And that was Phoebe Spangler.
Why Phoebe Carrying Ghostbusters’ Legacy Makes Sense
Phoebe was first introduced in Ghostbusters: Afterlife, the granddaughter of Egon Spengler with a similar knack for science. Her investigations into the earthquakes in Summerville, Oklahoma lead to her, her family, and the original team stopping Gozer for a second time. She will continue to be a major character among Frozen Empire’s cast, indicating how central she now is to the franchise.
By centering future films around Phoebe, any upcoming films can chronicle her as she grows up and becomes a full-fledged Ghostbuster. It also keeps the legacy of Egon’s role in the franchise alive, allowing for the series to move on with new characters while acknowledging what came before. By having future films center the next generation around her, they can continue to acknowledege the past while forging ahead with new ideas.
Despite some lukewarm reviews for Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, the movie’s box office performance will help determine if there will be more films in the franchise going forward. If there are, then Phoebe can continue as the perfect balance between the past and future of the franchise. It also helps open the door for an unpredictable number of stories, since her character may still have a lot to learn about taking up her grandfather’s mantle.
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
is now playing in theaters.
Source: THR
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire continues the story of a new generation of ghost hunters composed of Phoebe (Mckenna Grace), Trevor (Finn Wolfhard) and Podcast (Logan Kim), who received help from the original team in the previous movie. Paul Rudd returns as Gary Grooberson and franchise co-creator Ivan Reitman returns to write and produce.
- Director
- Gil Kenan
- Release Date
- March 22, 2024
- Studio(s)
- Columbia Pictures , Bron Creative , Ghost Corps , Right of Way Films
- Distributor(s)
- Sony Pictures Releasing
- Writers
- Jason Reitman , Gil Kenan
- Runtime
- 115 Minutes