Dan Aykroyd Confirms 'Casper' as Part of 'Ghostbusters' Canon

The original Ghostbuster reveals his cameo in the 1995 fantasy film is officially part of the franchise's timeline.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 9:22pm

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In a recent interview, Dan Aykroyd, who played Dr. Ray Stantz in the original 'Ghostbusters' films, stated that his brief cameo appearance in the 1995 movie 'Casper' is considered canon within the 'Ghostbusters' universe. Aykroyd explained that the involvement of executive producer Steven Spielberg solidifies the connection between the two supernatural franchises.

Why it matters

This revelation expands the established 'Ghostbusters' canon beyond the four main films, suggesting a willingness to embrace unexpected connections and crossovers within the franchise. It also raises questions about the potential for further integrations between different supernatural-themed properties in the future.

The details

In the 12-second cameo, Aykroyd's character Stantz enters the haunted mansion from 'Casper,' only to quickly run out screaming, saying 'Who you gonna call? Someone else!' - a reference to the iconic 'Ghostbusters' theme song. Aykroyd noted that he had grown a mustache for another film, 'Undercover Cops,' which is why his appearance differs from his typical 'Ghostbusters' look.

  • In 1995, Dan Aykroyd appeared in a cameo role in the film 'Casper'.

The players

Dan Aykroyd

The original actor who played Dr. Ray Stantz in the 'Ghostbusters' film franchise.

Steven Spielberg

The executive producer of the 1995 film 'Casper'.

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What they’re saying

“I think so, given the fact that [executive producer Steven] Spielberg asked for me and said, 'Reach and do this,' and that they built me in there. Of course, it's a beautiful nod to what we were doing with Ivan [Reitman] and everybody. I think you gotta include there in the canon, no doubt.”

— Dan Aykroyd, Actor

What’s next

With the confirmation of 'Casper' as part of the 'Ghostbusters' canon, fans are speculating about the potential for further crossovers and interconnections between the two supernatural franchises in future projects.

The takeaway

This unexpected connection between 'Ghostbusters' and 'Casper' highlights the willingness of the franchise's creators to expand the established canon in creative ways, blurring the lines between different supernatural-themed properties and opening up new storytelling possibilities for the future.