Dan Aykroyd, widely regarded as the creative mind behind Ghostbusters, has officially stated that his cameo appearance in the 1995 movie Casper is considered canonical to the Ghostbusters franchise. The revelation came during an interview with Aaron Sagers on the Talking Strange podcast, highlighting the long-discussed subject of whether the universe of Ghostbusters stretches beyond its original films and media. This statement strengthens the ongoing conversation about how stories and cameos impact franchise canonicity, especially in light of the evolving narrative in the Ghostbusters series.
Aykroyd’s Enthusiasm for the Paranormal Shines Through
Aykroyd, an avid believer in all things spectral, has a longstanding reputation for weaving real-world myths and legends into his creative works. His ambitions for Ghostbusters originally envisioned it as a broad-ranging story filled with references drawn from the unexplained, a thread he continues to explore today, notably on his History Channel show Strange Sightings. This passion set the stage for his conversation with Sagers, where his fondness for the supernatural and his vision for the franchise became especially clear.
The Casper Cameo: How Ray Stanz Joined Another Haunting
When Casper premiered nearly three decades ago, it brought together a notable cast, including Malachi Pearson voicing Casper, Cathy Moriarty as Carrigan Crittenden, Bill Pullman as Dr. James Harvey, and Christina Ricci as Kat. The story follows Crittenden as she inherits Whipstaff Manor in Maine, only to encounter Casper and his mischievous uncles. To rid the mansion of its spectral inhabitants, Crittenden tries to enlist help from a variety of ghost-fighting experts.
Aykroyd’s appearance as Ray Stanz occurs when his character is summoned as one of these experts. Briefly on screen, Stanz, fully geared up, exits the haunted house, delivers his iconic rhetorical line—“Who you gonna call?”—before quickly suggesting the enquirer find “Someone else.” This playful nod gave fans a moment of cross-franchise excitement, but its status within Ghostbusters lore remained uncertain until now.
The Director’s Touch and the Official Canonization
In his discussion with Sagers, Aykroyd detailed the circumstances behind the cameo, noting a significant connection to Steven Spielberg and other pillars of the Ghostbusters creative team. He stated,
“I think so, given that [Steven] Spielberg asked for me and they built me in there,”
– Dan Aykroyd, Actor and Writer, and then continued,
“Of course, it’s a beautiful nod to what we were doing with Ivan [Reitman, Ghostbusters director] and everybody. You’ve got to include it in the canon, no doubt.”
– Dan Aykroyd, Actor and Writer. This confirmation not only legitimizes his cameo within the franchise’s history but also acknowledges the mutual respect and collaboration behind the scene’s creation.
Considering Other Cameos and Ghostbusters’ Expanding Universe
Aykroyd’s approval of his own crossover cameo invites speculation about what other guest appearances in Casper and beyond could mean for Ghostbusters. In Casper, Carrigan Crittenden also consults characters like Father Guido Sarducci, played by Don Novello, as well as cameo appearances by Clint Eastwood, Rodney Dangerfield, Mel Gibson, and even the Cryptkeeper, all seen in comedic gags. While this raises playful questions about the limits of Ghostbusters canon, the franchise’s boundaries have always been somewhat fluid.
The ever-evolving canon has seen previous proclamations, such as when Aykroyd and his fellow stars including Harold Ramis, Bill Murray, and Ernie Hudson once claimed the 2009 Ghostbusters video game as official story, only for new developments in Ghostbusters: Afterlife and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire to reshape those narratives. Even the continuity of 2016’s Ghostbusters remains subject to fans’ ongoing debate.
Fun over Rigidity: Aykroyd’s Approach to Canon and Character Crossovers
Rather than stressing over the intricacies of canon, Aykroyd emphasizes enjoyment in playing with his characters and stories. The conversation with Sagers even turned to the idea of a crossover involving Jake and Elwood Blues from The Blues Brothers, with a comic book called The Blues Brothers: The Escape of Joliet Jake, which happens to feature Aykroyd’s daughter Stella as part of its creative team. Regarding this potential mashup, Aykroyd responded,
“Well, that would be for some young accomplished writer to figure out, maybe Stella,”
– Dan Aykroyd, Actor and Writer, and thoughtfully added,
“It would be an interesting meeting, let me put some thoughts to that.”
– Dan Aykroyd, Actor and Writer. This open-minded attitude suggests that as long as the spirit of Ghostbusters is intact, playful reinterpretations are welcome.
What Aykroyd’s Canon Decision Means for Fans and the Franchise
By officially bringing his Ghostbusters role in Casper into the broader canon, Dan Aykroyd illustrates a generous and flexible approach to storytelling that reflects his affection for the franchise and its fans. This stance invites audiences to embrace new interpretations and potential crossovers, celebrating the unexpected ways in which these beloved characters continue to reappear. As Ghostbusters remains a living, shifting narrative, fans can look forward to future surprises from Aykroyd, whose creativity shows no signs of slowing down.
