‘Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire’ Trailer Reaction: More Slime, More Ghosts, More Bustin’

 

I’m gonna be real with you: I didn’t love the first trailer for Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, the much-anticipated follow-up to Jason Reitman’s surprisingly good and immensely tear-inducing Ghostbusters: Afterlife. Based on that initial trailer, the new film seemed like a lifeless retread and, at worst, generic.

Having seen the new trailer for Frozen Empire – I still don’t love the title – I’m a lot more optimistic. Could it be because it’s absolutely loaded with fan service? Probably. But it’s also got a miniature Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man happily getting his arm shredded in a pencil sharpener. See? Franchises can give you something new these days, ya cynics.

But, yeah. About the absolute smattering of fan service … We’ve got William Atherton back as Walter Peck, we’ve got Janine Melnitz in uniform. We’ve got Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Ernie Hudson involved for more than an end-of-movie cameo. We’ve got a return to the New York Public Library and the re-emergence of the Librarian Ghost that’s been giving me nightmares for 37 years. We’ve also got Slimer, Kumail Nanjiani, Patton Oswalt, Paul Rudd slinging a particle throw and a brand-new ghost villain who ISN’T Gozer.

But perhaps my favorite thing in the trailer is the fact that Rudd’s character actually seems to quote the Ray Parker Jr. Ghostbusters theme, which means that it actually exists in-universe. And based on Carrie Coons/Callie Spengler’s reaction, they have the same mixed emotions about that “bustin’ makes me feel good” line as we do in our world.

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is directed by Gil Kenan and hits theaters March 22. Watch the trailer below!

‘Star Wars: The Bad Batch’ Season 3 Promises Big Return, Big Finale

When people talk about Star Wars steward Dave Filoni’s best works, they often leave out The Bad Batch, his Clone Wars spinoff featuring a toyetic group of genetically augmented clone troopers who find themselves on the run from the Republic-Turned-Empire. And you know what, those people are wrong! The Bad Batch is a great show, and despite having some slower and more deliberate episodes during its two-season run, this is a solid entry in the animated Star Wars canon and I’m sorry to see it go.

But it’s going out with a bang if the new trailer is to be believed. Following the heart-wrenching loss of Tech, Season 3 is set to feature the remaining members of Clone Force 99 rescuing Omega – a young, female clone of Jango Fett – from Imperial imprisonment. But they’ll be facing other enemies in that galaxy far, far away … namely Count Dooku’s former apprentice, Asajj Ventress! And she’s got a cool new hairstyle!

Star Wars: The Bad Batch Season 3 begins Feb. 21. Check out the trailer below! 

The Mandalorian and Grogu Head to Theaters

 

Although I wasn’t particularly enamored with The Mandalorian’s third season – it was fun but didn’t quite reach the meteoric highs of the first two seasons – I’m intrigued by news that Din Djarin and his little, green, and marketable buddy Grogu are going to star in a feature film entering production this year.

StarWars.com reports that Jon Favreau will direct The Mandalorian and Grogu (likely a working title), with Kathleen Kennedy and Dave Filoni joining him as producers.

“I have loved telling stories set in the rich world that George Lucas created,” said Favreau in a statement. “The prospect of bringing the Mandalorian and his apprentice Grogu to the big screen is extremely exciting.”

"Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni have ushered into Star Wars two new and beloved characters, and this new story is a perfect fit for the big screen," added Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm.

My hope here is that the film looks, feels, and plays out like an honest-to-goodness Star Wars film and is not merely an extended and slightly more expensive-looking episode of the series. Plus, with Mando and Grogu’s story tying up nicely in the final moments of Season 3, I’m curious as to what this “new story” will entail and how much money I will be somehow compelled to spend on new Grogu merchandise when it gets here.

In other news, Ahsoka Season 2 is officially in production, and the below concept art featuring Ahsoka Tano and her apprentice Sabine Wren standing on one of the mammoth statues featured in the first season’s finale sets up what just might be the best “pull my finger” joke of all time!