Ernie Hudson feels more freedom in the Ghostbusters franchise
The original Ghostbuster recalled feeling like he had to convince the studio he was the right guy for the job in 1984
Film News Ernie Hudson
It’s hard to imagine Ghostbusters without the prowess of Ernie Hudson, the talented actor who has played Winston Zeddemore since 1984. It’s a role he’s reprised in three additional films, including Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, which releases in theaters this week. Still, he tells The A.V. Club he finds more freedom in the franchise now than ever before.
While promoting the latest entry into the franchise, Hudson reflected on his experience of being in the original. He knew then it would be life-changing to book the role because of how different, wild, and funny the script was. “I was excited about it. It took me a while to convince them I was the guy for the part. Eventually, it obviously worked out,” he said, adding: “I think they [the studio] knew I was the right guy but were somehow reluctant to do it.”
Hudson has spoken out before about feeling sidelined during the marketing of the original; he recalled in a 2023 Sirius XM interview how he wasn’t on the original poster and other promotional materials. He tells The A.V. Club now that it led to a lot of insecurity on his part. “A lot of that is my interpretation of things. I felt the studio’s intention was different than my own. I was a little bit cautious of what we were doing, why would they do that to me, why am I over here and they’re over there? When you’re in a situation where you’re not sure, you begin to question everything.”
Thankfully, it seems that’s not the case for him anymore. Hudson clarifies that, over the years, the studio has made it clear to him that Winston is an integral part of Ghostbusters. “There’s a freedom now that I didn’t feel with the first movie. It’s nice to show up at work and not have insecurities and second-guessing. It’s been a blessing, and has a lot to do with Sony making it clear to me that if anything happens in the franchise, I’ll be a part of it.”
And part of it he is. He co-stars in Frozen Empire, which is a sequel to 2021's Ghostbusters: Afterlife, alongside Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Kumail Nanjiani, McKenna Grace, and Celeste O’Connor. The film finds the Spengler clan returning to the scene of the crime—a.k.a., New York City—to help the OG Ghostbusters with a top-secret project. That, of course, means Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Annie Potts, and William Atherton also return to the franchise.
Hudson teased his character’s Frozen Empire journey to The A.V. Club, along with the prospect of another movie: “Winston is a corporate guy, but he’s also a Ghostbuster. He’s built a facility to study the science, and what we uncover and unleash threatens civilization. We get a chance to see Ghostbusting happen in this film a little bit differently than in Afterlife. This one is all out. We’re moving in a different direction. Hopefully, if we get to do this further, we can bring more of the science in, so it’s not just a bunch of guys running around chasing spooky ghosts, but there’s a reason these ghosts are trapped. That’s what fascinates Winston.”
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is out on March 22.
21 Comments
He should have considered being a huge box office star in the early 80s, it probably would’ve put him in a better position to get more screen time in Ghostbusters.
He might have also gotten a bigger role by co-writing the film. Then he wouldn’t have to have worked hard to convince the producers he was right for the role like (checks notes) most actors. Can’t imagine why he wasn’t featured in marketing as much as the lead actors though. Must be a nefarious reason for that.
I can’t think of one single difference that would explain this. O wait I can.
Hey everybody, check out the world’s edgiest boy here!
I seem to remember that the role was written with Eddie Murphy in mind, but Murphy wasn’t available for it. Instead, Ernie Hudson made the role legendary in his own way, really landing it for his own personality rather than Murphy’s more ‘in your face’ comedy style.I’m glad we had both Murphy and Hudson in various roles to enjoy.It makes me think of the situation where Leonardo DiCaprio wasn’t available for his role in Inglourious Basterds, so they found Christoph Waltz for that villain, and a cinematic treasure was found!
Is that true about Leo with Inglourious? I’d never heard that. I knew that Eli Roth’s part was originally written for Adam Sandler and Fassbender’s was meant for Simon Pegg, but had never heard about the Leo part. I think it worked out well for the Fassbender and Waltz parts (as much as I love Pegg, and like Leo; Roth… boy, do I wish Sandler had been in that role instead because Eli just is not a good actor).
I knew about Sandler’s role going to Roth, but not the Fassbender/Pegg one. I can barely imagine that character as anyone but Fassbender.But yes, Leo was busy with Inception, I think? But we got Leo in Inception, Waltz in Inglourious, each doing great in those respective parts, and then they got to be together in another Tarantino film, Django Unchained.
I remember an interview with Tarantino where he said that after he saw Christolph Waltz audition for Hans Landa, if Waltz turned it down for some reason, he would have scrapped the movie.
Hudson playing it as just an ordinary guy, with a family to feed, looking for a job is what made the role so great. I wouldn’t have minded Eddie’s take, but I guess it would’ve been like most of Eddie’s takes.
Having a variety of styles available is a good thing.
Worth noting, though, that the part was cut down drastically when Eddie Murphy passed on the role. Winston is introduced much later in the movie than was originally scripted.
I can see that happening just out of caution. The change happened, they don’t know how well it will work, so… caution.Ernie Hudson certainly proved any fears to be unfounded though.
this man is 78 years old. Give me whatever the fuck he’s on.
Right? It looks like they sprayed some grey on his temples in 1989 for a Future Winston scene.
He’s built a facility to study the science, and what we uncover and unleash threatens civilization.IIRC the original concept of Winston (when Murphy was still the guy) was that he was a former military guy and scientific genius who was hilariously overqualified to be a Ghostbuster, even moreso than the other three. If I do remember correctly, I wonder if this is a subtle callback to that, hinting that even though he was an “everyman” in the first two films he’s always had that in him.
I remember when he first spoke about that marketing stuff, with him totally sidelined, and the evidence he pointed to was pretty glaring.
Glad he’s getting a bit of time in the spotlight now.
Not to be THAT GUY, but the AV Club still acknowledges that the 2016 Paul Feig – Melissa McCarthy – Kristen Wiig et. all reboot, aka Answer The Call, exists? As I recall, Hudson appears in that one too (as does Murray, Ackroyd, Potts, Weaver.)
Winston was my favorite character in the original movie. He was the most relatable person among all the wacky hijinks going on. I’m always happy to see Ernie Hudson getting work and I’m especially glad to see him finally getting his due in the new film.
Hmmm could it be racism?? /s
He certainly was sidelined in promos when the movie came out and became HUGE. The three main stars, along with Sigourney Weaver, were established names that everyone knew, but no one could name the actors who played “fourth ghostbuster” and “Janine.” Ernie Hudson should have had a career bump.
I should add though, that 80’s kids around the world certainly knew his Winston Zeddemore character because The Real Ghostbusters animated series was a guaranteed must watch for many of us.