Finn Wolfhard Talks Filmmaking, “Ghostbusters” & “SNL ’75”
After leading one of the most successful TV shows of all time, you wouldn’t think that ‘imposter syndrome’ would be in Stranger Things star Finn Wolfhard’s vocabulary.
However, that’s exactly how the Canadian actor felt when he worked alongside the original Ghostbusters Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson and Annie Potts in the next instalment in the classic 80s franchise, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. Ghostbusters new and old must unite to protect New York when the discovery of an ancient artifact unleashes an evil force that threatens a second ice age.
Alongside Stranger Things, Ghostbusters, and his music career, Wolfhard somehow also found the time to direct his feature-length debut, Hell of a Summer. The slasher-comedy, which received its world premiere at TIFF 2023, takes place in a summer camp where the counsellors are hunted by a masked killer. A SHARP cover alum, Wolfhard spoke to us again; this time, Wolfhard shared his experiences acting, directing, and dealing with imposter syndrome.
In Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, the Spenglers are back in Manhattan and have moved into the Firehouse. This building is such an iconic part of film history, you must have felt like a kid in a sweatshop?
It’s incredible. It’s the same as the original, just a little rundown. To be able to walk around in that place and feel the history of the original movies was pretty amazing.
“It does feel like a dream. You’re like, ‘Is this even real? Is this happening?’ It’s so incredible.”
Finn Wolfhard on filming Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
I recently spoke with Annie Potts, and she said that going back to the Firehouse was surreal because it was exactly how they remembered it from the 80s. It must have been interesting to see the original cast’s reactions to almost stepping back in time.
I remember Dan Aykroyd every day being so incredibly excited, it was very infectious. He’s such a sweet guy and he’s so himself. Being able to be around that was so amazing because it made everyone all the more happy to be there.
Did you go down the pole?
Many times! Weirdly, I was kind of a wuss when it came to that — it was really fun and I did it a bunch of times, but it’s very tall. It’s a real fire pole, so it was high up and it took some getting used to but still insanely fun.
What was it like to spend time with the original cast?
There’s obviously an age difference between all of us, but there was something about it that didn’t feel all that different from working with people your own age. They have had so much experience, but they are all performers, so there’s a certain amount of things that we can relate to each other with. They’re really good about sharing themselves and being open.
They’re such legends, so [it was] very intimidating for a little while — and I still feel a little imposter syndrome. These are such legends and to be among them is so incredible.
It’s like living a childhood dream!
That’s right, it does feel like a dream. You’re like, “Is this even real? Is this happening?” It’s so incredible and I don’t think I’ll be able to process it until 10 years from now, at least.
There’s not many people who know what it’s like to play a Ghostbuster, so having the original cast there must feel reassuring?
Totally. They truly and genuinely enjoyed the movie as well, which is really nice. Bill Murray at the premiere the other night said: “This is a real Ghostbusters movie.” To have that blessing from him was really awesome.
“I loved being scared as a kid, watching a kids movie, because it didn’t shelter me as much. I felt seen because I was feeling these new emotions for the first time — [they’re] really important for kids to feel.”
Finn Wolfhard
The original movies had lots of improv moments, which is no surprise with Dan and Bill’s SNL background. Did this movie have those improv moments too?
The first one [Afterlife] was much more scripted. Jason [Reitman] directed the first one, and if a line sounded weird coming out or we were not fully comfortable with the way we are saying them, he’s good about letting us play and change. Gil Kenan is the same.
This one was a lot more improv and there’s so many moments from all of us that were improvised and changed. For this type of movie, it really works. This is something that is ingrained into the DNA of the Ghostbusters films, and being able to do that was very fun and freeing. Also, seeing the older guys, they’re just masters at work. It felt like I was watching a masterclass.
You are set to star in SNL ‘75. Did you speak with Dan Aykroyd before taking the role?
Yeah, I did.
What was his insight into that era like?
At the time, they were all just normal people. Dan was from Kingston, Ontario and he had just moved to New York and he was working as a performer. Dan talked about the first episode and truly not knowing if it was going to work or not and having to go home to Kingston, Ontario and becoming a regular guy again if it failed.
It was amazing to hear that because it shows that these people have these emotions and normal questions and curiosities about where their lives are going to go. It makes them feel more human, even though they are such legends. Then, they partied for years and it was the greatest thing ever and [they] had amazing careers and still do.
You recently directed a horror-comedy, Hell of a Summer. Did Ghostbusters give you an appreciation of how difficult it is to have these dark horror elements in a relatively child-friendly movie?
What I respect so much about this film is that I feel the family movies with dark tones have gone away a lot more. I grew up with a lot of older films, and films from the early 2000s, where it felt like the stakes were really real. It didn’t spoon-feed audiences. Instead, it painted a clearer picture of reality, no matter how ‘fantasy’ it got. I loved being scared as a kid, watching a kids movie, because it didn’t shelter me as much. I felt seen because I was feeling these new emotions for the first time — [they’re] really important for kids to feel.
“I’ve learned a lot about indie filmmaking and the film business in general — not that I know everything in any way, I’ve still got a long time to learn. But I also believe that young filmmakers can bring a different perspective.”
Finn Wolfhard on making Hell of a Summer.
Which movies made you feel that way growing up?
The NeverEnding Story is scary, weird and terrifying and so is Gremlins. School of Rock is a brilliant movie that kids can watch, but it also has this dark tone and it’s not afraid to go to these places.
That type of movie doesn’t really exist anymore. So, for this movie to come along and have this new villain and parts where these characters could actually be in danger, I think that’s very important for film. I wish it wasn’t a risk anymore, but for this movie to be as commercial as it is and to take that risk is really cool.
I briefly mentioned your feature-length directorial debut, Hell of a Summer. It’s such a huge milestone in your career. What was that experience like?
It’s something that I’ve been very passionate about since I was really young. Ever since I can remember, I’ve been really interested in making films. That’s how I made most of my friends, through the love of movies. You build a community through these things. I made a short film beforehand, but you’re never really ready to make a first feature.
How did you know this was the right time?
I had this idea that I was really passionate about with my partner [Billy Bryk] and we just said, “Screw it!” and jumped in the deep end. I worked really hard on it for four years, I wrote the first draft when I was 16 and made it when I was 20.
“[I have] so many friends that are my age, that are going to film school, that are brilliant and should be making films now, but they aren’t because there’s an ageist thing going on.”
Finn Wolfhard
What do you think you’ve learned during this process?
It was a very insightful experience. I feel like I’ve learned a lot about indie filmmaking and the film business in general — not that I know everything in any way, I’ve still got a long time to learn. But I also believe that young filmmakers can bring a different perspective.
Do you think there’s a hesitancy to give young filmmakers these opportunities?
An adult can come along and be like, “They have no life experience, so how can they make a good movie?” I agree with that in some ways, but [I] also really don’t agree because this is a genre movie and it’s about teenagers and who knows teenagers more than teenagers?
Obviously, it’s easy for me to say because I had a leg up through acting, but I just want to set an example for people my age. [I have] so many friends that are my age, that are going to film school, that are brilliant and should be making films now, but they aren’t because there’s an ageist thing going on.
It was incredible but also the most stressful experience thus far in my life — but it’s my first feature, so it should be!
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire will be released to theatres on March 22, 2024.
