'Ghostbuster' sequel to focus on a family of original film

LOS ANGELES — The upcoming “Ghostbuster” sequel will focus on the descendants of the original ghost-catchers who rushed around New York City in proton packs and jumpsuits.

Ivan Reitman and Dan Aykroyd revealed details of the new film, saying it is expected out next year and will star Paul Rudd, Finn Wolfhard, Carrie Coon and McKenna Grace. Reitman directed the original 1984 film and Aykroyd co-wrote and co-starred in it. Reitman’s son, Jason, is directing the new movie.

“I think it’s a wonderful story because people seem to continue to be interested in 35 years after we came out with the first one. And I think we’re trying to expand it a little bit. And I think Jason’s movie does that,” Ivan Reitman said Thursday. “This is a story about a family.”

Both men were at Universal Studios Hollywood, where they were promoting a “Ghostbusters”-themed “Halloween Horror Nights” maze attraction.

The franchise was last revived in 2016 with a group of four actresses — Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones — taking over as the title characters, a gender reversal from the original.

Aykroyd, who is a producer along with Reitman on the new “Ghostbusters,” praised the 2016 film but said it was time to hand off the mantle “to a new generation.”

“Although the girls’ movie kept the concept and the ideas alive — and it was really good, they were great in it — it wasn’t like giving it to the new generation, the actual descendants of the original Ghostbusters. So we’re going to link to the DNA old and new there,” he said.