Sigourney Weaver won't return for Ghostbusters 2, but Ernie Hudson will be back!

Sigourney Weaver recently revealed that she won't be part of the cast for Ghostbusters: Afterlife 2. Although one original star is set to return for the sequel, Weaver confirmed that she wasn't contacted about it. The upcoming installment will continue the story of Egon Spengler's descendants, with Carrie Coon, Mckenna Grace, and Finn Wolfhard leading the cast, along with Logan Kim, Paul Rudd, Celeste O'Connor, and Ernie Hudson.

In an interview with Collider, Weaver explained why it makes sense for her not to be in the upcoming sequel. She stated that she wasn't called about it, but it seems logical since the focus will be on the new generation of Ghostbusters. The story will follow Egon's daughter Callie, grandson Trevor, and granddaughter Phoebe as they return to New York City, the home of the original Ghostbusters. However, Weaver's absence doesn't detract from the excitement surrounding the highly anticipated movie.

No, I mean, I wasn't asked to be in this Ghostbusters, and I think, you know, a little of us goes a long way.

Weaver's Absence Is Actually A Good Sign For Ghostbusters: Afterlife 2

Although Weaver will not be returning for the next installment of Ghostbusters: Afterlife, fans can still look forward to seeing some familiar faces. Hudson will be reprising his role as Winston Zeddemore, and William Atherton will also be back as Walter Peck. Many will remember Atherton's portrayal of the Environmental Protection Agency inspector from the original Ghostbusters film. After his memorable performance, he didn't properly return until the release of Ghostbusters: The Video Game in 2009. Co-written by the original creators, Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis, the game served as an unofficial third film, making Atherton's return all the more exciting for fans.

It is uncertain whether Aykroyd, Murray, or Potts will return for Ghostbusters: Afterlife 2, although Hudson recently hinted at a possible reunion. However, Weaver's absence from the upcoming film may indicate a deliberate attempt to avoid relying too heavily on nostalgia, which was a common criticism of the 2021 film. Critics found that the film's heavy use of fan service, such as bringing back the original villain Gozer and recreating scenes from the first film, hindered its ability to chart a new course for the franchise. While this approach may have appealed to die-hard fans who disliked the female-led reboot or the lackluster 1989 sequel, it may not have won over new audiences. Rather than shoehorning Weaver's character Dana into the sequel, co-writer/director Gil Kenan should strike a balance between honoring the franchise's legacy and forging new paths for the Ghostbusters.