We got one! After a long break, the Ghostbusters are returning to animation. A new CG-animated series has been approved by Netflix, as reported by Variety. Details about the plot are not yet available, but it is expected to connect with Ghostbusters: Afterlife and its sequel, Frozen Empire.
There is no information yet about whether the series will include the new junior Ghostbusters from those films or the original “legacy” Ghostbusters from the 1984 film and its sequel.
The series will be written, showrun, and executive produced by Elliott Kalan. Kalan is known for his work as head writer on the Netflix revival of Mystery Science Theater 3000 and The Daily Show.
He has also written for comic books like Spider-Man and the X-Men, Disney’s Hercules, and Harley Quinn. He created the comic Maniac of New York and co-hosts the popular podcast The Flop House, which reviews bad movies weekly.
What Other ‘Ghostbusters’ Animated Series Are There?
Ghostbusters first appeared in animation in 1986 with The Real Ghostbusters. The “Real” in the title was needed because another animated series called The Ghost Busters had aired in 1975, featuring two ghost hunters and their gorilla sidekick.
The Real Ghostbusters continued the story from the 1984 film, with paranormal investigators Venkman, Stantz, Spengler, and Zeddemore dealing with ghosts in New York City. Secretary Janine and the ghost Slimer were also part of the team.
The show, led by J. Michael Straczynski, was a huge success, running for seven seasons and 140 episodes. It was revived in 1997 with Extreme Ghostbusters, featuring Spengler and Janine mentoring a new group of Ghostbusters. This series also introduced the first-ever female Ghostbuster.
Executive producers Jason Reitman and Gil Kenan of Ghost Corps, Inc. will oversee the new animated series created by Sony Pictures Animation. Reitman, whose father directed the original two films, wrote and directed Ghostbusters: Afterlife and produced its sequel, Frozen Empire.
Kenan co-wrote Afterlife and directed Frozen Empire, which earned $202 million at the box office earlier this year. Frozen Empire drew from the unique villains of The Real Ghostbusters for its ghosts.
The new animated Ghostbusters series on Netflix is currently under development, but no release date has been set as of yet. Keep an eye on Otakukart for updates. Meanwhile, the original film is available for rent or purchase on Prime Video.
