Ernie Hudson Speaks Out About “Ghostbusters’ Unfair Treatment

Key Takeaways:

– Ernie Hudson accuses the studio behind Ghostbusters of continuously sidelining him during and after the film’s production.
– Despite his important role as Winston Zeddemore, Hudson was often excluded from promotional materials.
– Ghostbusters fans’ unfaltering support has allowed Hudson to remain positive, despite the studio’s unfair treatment.
– Hudson rejects attributing the behavior to racism, believing it would disempower him.

A Candid Revelation by Ernie Hudson

Actor Ernie Hudson recently shed light on his adverse experience as a part of the iconoclastic Ghostbusters franchise. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Hudson, who played the character of Winston Zeddemore, revealed that he was consistently pushed aside by the studio.

Close-Knit Cast, Distant Studio

Despite great camaraderie within the cast, Hudson’s time on-set turned sour owing to the conduct of the film studio. He narrated how the studio continued to sideline him in a selective manner that made his time on the franchise very difficult.

Unfair Exclusion from Promotions

Despite Zeddemore being one of the four protagonists of the film, Hudson’s character was often left out of the promotional material. From movie posters to covers, the actor felt a constant effort from the studio to exclude him from the main cast. Despite these hurdles, there was no ill-will between the actors as they acknowledged the bureaucracy’s unfairness.

The 30th Anniversary Spectacle

Evidently, Hudson’s experience did not improve in the ensuing years. At the 30th-anniversary release of the film, Hudson noticed his character missing from promotional posters. Despite this consistent mistreatment, Hudson expressed gratitude towards the devoted Ghostbuster fans who always recognized his essential role as one of the four Ghostbusters.

Addressing Racism Accusations

Although some claimed racism as the cause of this behavior, Hudson steered away from accepting such attributions. He suggested that, if he had been a bigger star like Eddie Murphy, his character might not have received such rough treatment. Hudson believes that attributing it to racism would upsweep any lessons to take from the experience, thereby disempowering him.

Hudson’s Message to Fans and Upcoming Artists

Throughout all these trials, Hudson remains positive, acknowledging his fanbase’s continuous support and recognizing his role beyond mere studio politics. In his conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, Hudson highlights his refusal to give racism the power to define his experience within the Ghostbusters franchise. Instead, he encourages aspiring artists to take charge of their own narrative, emphasizing the importance of such resilience in the face of adversity.

Closing Remarks

As Ghostbusters ushers in a new era with the release of Paul Rudd’s Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, Hudson’s revelatory interview serves as a stark reminder of Hollywood’s grim realities. It takes courage to continue pushing boundaries despite the challenges faced, like Hudson did throughout his Ghostbusters journey. As we bask in the new release’s anticipation, Hollywood is urged to learn from its past and ensure fair treatment for all its actors. And as Hudson himself said, “the fans see it differently” – a telling testament to the importance of audiences in shaping film legacies.