Dan Aykroyd confirms Ghostbusters canon by officially stating that his cameo as Ray Stantz in the 1995 film Casper is part of the franchise universe. Speaking on the Talking Strange podcast, Aykroyd humorously explained that Casper the Friendly Ghost and the Ghostbusters both operate in the same world, tying together two classic supernatural stories just as the 30th anniversary of Casper is celebrated.
Aykroyd Announces Canon Connection
During a discussion marking the milestone since Casper’s release, podcast host Aaron Sagers asked Dan Aykroyd directly whether his appearance in the film counts as official canon for Ghostbusters. Aykroyd responded,
I think so, given the fact that [executive producer Steven] Spielberg asked for me and said, ‘Come and do this,’ and that they built me in there
Dan Aykroyd, Actor and Writer. He elaborated on the spirit of the cameo, saying,
Of course, it’s a beautiful nod to what we were doing with Ivan [Reitman] ad everybody. I think you gotta include there in the canon, no doubt.
Dan Aykroyd, Actor and Writer.
The Scene Linking Two Franchises
In Casper, Cathy Moriarty portrays Carrigan Crittenden, a woman determined to rid Whipstaff Manor of its ghostly inhabitants—including the mischievous Casper and his three uncles. Her efforts include consultations with Don Novello’s Father Guido Sarducci, who attempts an exorcism. She also calls in the Ghostbusters by dialing the famous 555-2368 number.
Dan Aykroyd’s iconic character, Ray Stantz, appears at the manor, finding the ghosts too difficult to capture. As he exits the scene, he delivers the memorable line,
Who ya gonna call? Someone else.
Dan Aykroyd as Ray Stantz. This cameo has long sparked playful debate among fans about whether the Casper and Ghostbusters universes are officially connected.
Impact on the Ghostbusters Franchise
By confirming this crossover, Aykroyd suggests that there are now five canonical Ghostbusters films, counting the original two, the recent sequels including Frozen Empire, and his Casper cameo. He touched on the ongoing future for the series and its storytelling, referencing ideas about classic elements returning to the narrative. When asked on the podcast,
we need a dose of happy pink slime in this world? Do we need the Statue of Liberty to walk around to bring us together?
Aaron Sagers, Podcast Host, Aykroyd responded positively about possible directions for upcoming films.
He reflected on how the next Ghostbusters movie might draw from broader societal themes, stating,
We sure could use pink slim at any time,
and added,
It’s interesting, we’ll see what we do as far as the next Ghostbusters feature — and there will be one. It’s just what avenue we’re going to take? And I think that given creative people in the world we’re living in today, how can you not factor in some of what we’re looking at in terms of the human species’ execrable behavior? That may be looked at, you know, maybe it manifests itself in some kind of evil formation. No sure. Jason [Reitman] is working with the creative crew there at the Ghost Corps. up there in Los Angeles; I’ll be very interested to see what emerges.
Dan Aykroyd, Actor and Writer.
New Ghostbusters Projects and Animated Series
Aykroyd also shared exciting details about additional projects, highlighting an animated Ghostbusters series in development. He explained,
We are doing a really neat animated Ghostbusters. It’ll be coming out quite soon, and the characters and the whole take and the look of Manhattan is really exciting. So, I think maybe there’s an opportunity there for those writers to address some of the issues that we need to heal and and move on with our lives.
Dan Aykroyd, Actor and Writer. This move into animation reflects efforts by Jason Reitman and Ghost Corps in Los Angeles to innovate and expand the franchise into new storytelling formats.
Celebrating Casper and Ghostbusters’ Legacy
The announcement comes as fans celebrate a special release: a 30th anniversary 4K UHD limited edition steelbook of Casper, now available for collectors. The iconic film can also be streamed through major platforms such as Apple TV+ and Prime Video. The Ghostbusters saga, meanwhile, continues to be widely accessible, with the original movies, Afterlife, and Frozen Empire also offered on streaming and in deluxe Blu-ray collections. Characters like Ray Stantz, Carrigan Crittenden, and key figures like Steven Spielberg and Jason Reitman maintain a close association with the enduring popularity of both brands.
With Dan Aykroyd’s enthusiastic confirmation, the connection between Casper and the Ghostbusters universe offers new creative pathways for the future, while giving fans even more reason to revisit both supernatural adventures in the years ahead.
