Breaking news overnight as it has been confirmed that Sony is ramping up pre-production on a sequel to Ghostbusters: Afterlife. Though no release date has been set for the sequel, it has now been confirmed that executive producer and writer Gil Kenan will step up to helm the film.
The new broke via Deadline before later being confirmed by Jason Reitman, director of Afterlife and son of original Ghostbusters creator, Ivan Reitman. The younger Reitman is expected to move into the writer-producer role alongside co-scribe Kenan and Jason Blumenfeld.
Here’s Reitman’s Instagram post confirming the news:
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Insiders have confirmed to Deadline that the Ghostbusters: Afterlife ensemble, including Paul Rudd and Carrie Coon, is on board to return for the sequel.
“It’s an absolute honor to pick up the proton pack and step behind the camera for the next chapter of the Spengler family saga,” said Kenan. “I just wish I could go back to 1984 and tell the kid in the sixth row of the Mann Valley West that one day he was going to get to direct a Ghostbusters film.”
“A few years ago, my father handed me the keys to Ecto-1, and together we made Ghostbusters: Afterlife” said Reitman. “Words will never express how grateful I am to have made a film with my father by my side. It’s now time to hand those keys to my creative partner and fellow Ghostbuster Gil Kenan, a brilliant director who will keep the Spengler spirit alive. I can only hope to provide him the same producorial care and support that my father showed me.”
Kenan has directed such films as Monster House, City of Ember and last year’s A Boy Called Christmas. For Monster House. He earned Best Animated Feature Oscar and Golden Globe nominations for Monster House.