Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire – Paul Rudd, Finn Wolfhard and Ernie Hudson on new film in franchise
Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, McKenna Grace and Finn Wolfhard reprise their roles as a family and team of ghost catchers in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire – this time in the location of the original films, New York City.
The latest addition to the movie franchise sees the original and new generation team up to protect their home from a second Ice Age.
Souped up Cadillac – Ecto-1. Pic. Columbia Pictures
Here are the key things you need to know about the fourth outing of everyone’s favourite 80s ghost hunters.
Ecto-1 or Millennium Falcon?
There wouldn’t be a Ghostbusters film without the iconic Ecto-1.
In the first reboot, Afterlife, the car was found by Wolfhard’s character on the grounds of his late grandfather Elon Spengler’s farm.
(L-R) Paul Rudd and Carrie Coon. Pic: Columbia Pictures
With the help of Spengler’s ghost, they repaired it and in Frozen Empire, it returns to the streets of New York.
“I actually got to drive it, it was really unreal,” says Rudd, admitting it was a “tricky” vehicle to manoeuvre.
“It’s almost like you’re driving the [Star Wars spacecraft] Millennium Falcon.”
The Marvel star says that despite this being his second film in the franchise, the excitement never goes away.
Star of the show – Slimer. Pic. Columbia Pictures
The production used two versions of the car for Frozen Empire – remaking one with a Corvette engine for the high-speed shots.
Wolfhard says it was “insanely powerful”, but would constantly overheat and choke as they began to film a scene.
Ghostbusters cast’s friendships
Filming for the new movie took three months, and Rudd says the majority of downtime for the cast was spent together “without mobile phones”.
The Proton packs were so heavy that the crew installed pieces of wood for the cast to rest them on between takes and it gave them the perfect opportunity to get to know each other.
Pic. Columbia Pictures
He says he would constantly ask for stories from the originals about the first film.
He has one stand-out memory of Ernie Hudson… his choice of treat.
“Ernie would always have those Tootsie Pops he loved – he had a real sweet tooth,” explains Rudd.
Hudson thinks it’s hilarious that that’s what Rudd remembers of him and adds it was simply to “fight the hunger urge”.
Ghostbusters and Finn Wolfhard’s directorial feature debut
In between filming for Ghostbusters: Afterlife and Frozen Empire, Wolfhard made his directorial feature debut with Hell of a Summer.
(L-R) Celeste O’Connor, Finn Wolfhard, James Acaster, Logan Kim and Dan Aykroyd. Pic. Columbia Pictures
The comedy-horror premiered at the Toronto film festival in September last year.
His co-director Billy Bryk also featured in the first reboot as Zahk and the duo began writing the script during its production.
“I’m so in my head now”, says Wolfhard who thinks that going behind the camera has given him some new advantages and disadvantages when it comes to acting.
“I’ll see a scene in my head, I’ll think about what I look like in the future on screen and go, ‘God, you’re such an idiot right now’.”
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Jumping into the conversation, Rudd reassures his co-star, calling Wolfhard a “terrific actor and a great director,” but insists that the insecurity around filming never goes away.
‘It crosses a generation’
The first Ghostbusters film was released in 1984 and starred Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis and Ernie Hudson.
Pic. Columbia Pictures
Eddie Murphy was originally intended for the role of Winston Zeddemore but he turned it down to do Beverly Hills Cop.
The role instead went to Hudson who says people still come up to him on the street quoting his character.
Hudson tells Sky News: “In the first Ghostbusters, because the part had been cut down from what the original part was, the guys all sort of came together and gave me a lot of the really good lines.”
The most common quotes he receives are: “It’s a big Twinkie”; “If there’s a steady pay check” and “If someone asks if you’re a God, you say yes.”
Director Gil Kenan, centre. Pic. Columbia Pictures
The 87-year-old actor says the franchise has always had its fans at the centre – something he believes is responsible for its continued success.
“It crosses a generation and the wonderful thing about Ghostbusters for me is you see a lot of sort of remakes or reboots or sequels, but a lot of times you get the feeling that it’s something the studio wants and not necessarily the fans, you know? But, this is one that I feel like the fans are asking for”.
The Firehouse. Pic. Columbia Pictures
The American actor says he was delighted to rejoin the cast and crew for Frozen Empire.
The new Ghostbusters’ film is just under two hours long.
And it does have an after-credits scene which suggests this might not be the last we see of the franchise.
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is in cinemas now.
Snoop Dogg says he hopes to set up a burger van at Celtic’s stadium and wants to serve fans himself.
The US rapper, 53, has described the football club’s supporters as “special” and the best fans in European football.
And Snoop, who played Glasgow‘s OVO Hydro arena in 2023, has also said he strongly identifies with the club’s mascot Hoopy the Hound.
He said a fast-food van at Celtic Park would become a foodie “Paradise” which is a nickname for the ground in the Parkhead area of the city.
Celtic Park. Pic: AP
Snoop told the Sunday Mail: “I would love to bring a pop-up burger [van] to a sports stadium to show fans that food at stadiums can be good.
“It’s got to be Celtic Park, man. The secret to a good burger is the love in the preparation. The ground beef has got to be mixed with some secret spices, then add a good quality cheese and some maple-cured bacon.
“The Celtic fans are gonna love it, and to make sure they are just right, Snoop is going to be serving them himself.”
But he said he would not be taking his culinary ventures to Rangers – Celtic’s Old Firm rivals at Ibrox.
The Drop It Like It’s Hot star told the paper: “Am I going to bring my burgers to Rangers as well? Nah, I think we will give that a miss.”
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The musician has previously spoken of investing in Celtic, similar to Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds’s involvement with Wrexham FC.
Snoop has already published a cookbook and claims to have spoken to chef Gordon Ramsay about a possible venture in Glasgow together.
The keen sports fan worked as a correspondent for NBC at the Paris Olympics last year, and has launched two youth football leagues, as well as being a vocal advocate for pay equality for female athletes.
Entertainment
Sir Rod Stewart ‘devastated’ after cancelling more US concerts as he recovers from flu
Sir Rod Stewart says he is devastated to have to cancel a series of US concerts, blaming lingering flu for the decision.
It affects four shows in Nevada, along with a further two in California, which he plans to reschedule.
They were due to take place over the next eight days.
“So sorry my friends. I’m devastated and sincerely apologise for any inconvenience to my fans. I’ll be back on stage and will see you soon,” he wrote in a message on Instagram.
Sir Rod, 80, has been struggling to recover from flu and this week had already cancelled two concerts at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas.
On Wednesday, he disclosed that his doctor had “ordered” him to take “a bit more rest”.
The star is in the midst of his epic One Last Time Tour.
Sir Rod, who was recently put on vocal rest, is due to play the legends slot at Glastonbury later this month.
In May, he was presented with a lifetime achievement award at the American Music Awards (AMAs).
Sir Rod performing at the 2025 American Music Awards in Las Vegas. Pic: Reuters
In a sign of how seriously the singer takes his health, last month he was also spotted in Italy attempting to avoid conversations to preserve his voice.
He wore a message attached to a lanyard which read: “Sorry. Cannot talk. Having vocal rest.”
In 2024, he promised he would not retire but confirmed his 2025 European and North American shows would bring an end to his “large-scale world tours”.
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The performer, best known for songs including Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?, Every Beat Of My Heart, and Maggie May, said he plans to focus on more intimate venues instead.
Sir Rod has faced other health challenges in the past.
In May 2000, he was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and had surgery. In 2017, he underwent successful treatment for prostate cancer.
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