Ernie Hudson has been carrying the proton pack for decades, and it looks like he’s not putting it down anytime soon.
In a recent interview with Stage Left Unsaid, the original Ghostbusters star gave fans a rare update on the long-awaited animated series currently in the works at Netflix and Sony Pictures Animation.
While promoting his BET drama The Family Business, Hudson was asked about what’s next for the iconic franchise. His response pointed directly to the still-developing Netflix project.
“Well, you know, I never know. I find out a lot of what I know from the fans more than from the studio,” Hudson admitted. “I know they’re talking about something else, but we’re also in the middle of doing an animated series, and you know, I’m Winston Zeddemore, and I own the Ghostbusters franchise. So, there’ll be more, and I’m excited about it.”
Though Hudson didn’t confirm specifics like casting or a release date, his mention of the series suggests he’s tied closely to its progress. That would line up with his previous stance on returning to voice Winston Zeddemore, a role he’s protective of after not being included in the voice cast of the original ’80s cartoon The Real Ghostbusters.
In a 2024 conversation with ComingSoon.net, Hudson made it clear he intends to remain the voice of Winston moving forward. “I told Jason (Reitman), ‘Don’t ever let anybody do Winston’s voice unless I’m gone. Like, gone for real… I love doing voice-over work, and I’d be very heartbroken if anyone voiced Winston from this point moving forward.’”
Fans may recall that although Hudson played Winston in the live-action films, Arsenio Hall provided the character’s voice in the first three seasons of the animated series, The Real Ghostbusters. Buster Jones later took over the part until the series ended in 1991. Hudson has been candid about his disappointment at the time, noting that he even auditioned for the cartoon but wasn’t chosen.