ROCKY VIEW COUNTY - The trailer for the film Ghostbusters: Afterlife was released on July 27, and residents of Crossfield and Beiseker watched with excited eyes, as the project for which their homes were the backdrop has finally made its way to the big screen.
The movie, which is slated for theatrical release this November, was partially filmed in the two north Rocky View County communities in the summer of 2019 – much to the excitement of area residents.
Crossfield Mayor Jo Tennant said the recent release of the trailer has reinvigorated chatter around town about the highly anticipated movie.
“[The trailer] is certainly creating a lot of buzz and people had great fun when they were doing the filming and so, it kind of refreshes everything in everybody’s mind,” she said.
“There’s been lots of positive comments. People can’t wait until it comes out this fall.”
Crossfield and Beiseker joined Fort Macleod, Drumheller and Calgary as shooting locations for the new Ghostbusters flick. The film – starring Paul Rudd and Finn Wolfhard, among others – was originally scheduled to come out last July, but its release was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A new release date is set for Nov. 11.
Ghostbusters: Afterlife adds to the franchise that includes the 1984 cult-classic Ghostbusters, Ghostbusters II, which was released in 1989, as well as the 2016 reboot of the same name.
According to the production’s official website, the new instalment explores the “next chapter” in the Ghostbusters universe.
“When a single mom and her two kids arrive in a small town, they begin to discover their connection to the original ghostbusters and the secret their grandfather left behind,” the site read.
Tennant said filming in Crossfield two summers ago ultimately brought the town’s residents closer together, creating a bond through shared experience.
“It was really good to see the camaraderie – people would come out and watch and people that didn’t know each other got to meet each other. People who maybe didn’t have a reason to talk to each other did,” she explained.
Throughout the trailer, viewers may recognize the lone grain elevator in Dorothy, Alta as a station wagon cruises by. Another shot during the trailer shows a car making a sharp left turn off of Railway Street, in downtown Crossfield.
Beiseker Mayor Warren Wise recalled the old-style diner lined with fluorescent lights in the trailer was set up in the village. He said the filming process definitely drew individuals to the area that may not have been inclined otherwise.
A particular moment of interest for Wise, he said, was a scene that was filmed on Beiseker’s main street – a car ripping up and down the road with repeated screeching stops.
“It was quite dramatic,” he said.
Tennant said the opportunity to host the film production gave her a bit of insight into the movie-making process, including how after-effects and editing can transform footage – not to mention just how many takes are done to capture the perfect shot.
“All of those things you don’t know about movie-making, unless you’re right there to watch it,” she said.
Wise said it was disappointing the release of the film has been delayed so long, as residents of all the communities involved are extremely excited to see the end result. However, he said he is looking forward to watching the film when it is released later this year.
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