Paranormalists rejoice: There’s life after Ghostbusters: Afterlife. Sony Pictures has announced that Gil Kenan, Afterlife’s co-writer and executive producer, has been tapped to direct an upcoming sequel to that film, which had been created in 2021 as a relaunch of the original 1980s franchise. 

Afterlife grossed $200 worldwide on the heels of its release just a year ago. Jason Reitman will be joining Jason Blumenfeld as co-writer and producer on the proposed sequel; Reitman’s father Ivan, who died in February, had directed the first two films in the franchise.

In accepting his new role, Kenan said: “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. 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.”

Jason Reitman couched his enthusiasm in generational terms, telling reporters “A few years ago, my father handed me the keys to Ecto-1, and together we made Ghostbusters: Afterlife. 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.”

Gil Kenan’s earlier directorial credits have included Monster House, City of Ember, and A Boy Called Christmas. He earned Oscar and Golden Globe nominations for the first of these, an animated feature.

Some original cast members of Ghostbusters: Afterlife, including Paul Rudd and Carrie Coon, are reportedly on board to appear in the upcoming sequel, with casting now underway for additional characters. It’s also been reported that the New York City firehouse seen in the original film will be making an encore appearance as well.

Production is expected to begin in early 2023 for a projected release in December of that year.

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