We lost a "Ghostbuster" in 2014

Dan Akroyd Says Late Harold Ramis Is "Very Honorably Represented" In New 'Ghostbusters' Movie

Dan Akroyd has revealed that Ghostbusters: Afterlife will feature a tribute to the late Harold Ramis. The original cast returns for the sequel in 2021, but Ramis passed away in 2014. Read Akroyd's comments here.

Lin-Manuel Miranda Reunites 'Hamilton' Cast To Perform With Jimmy Fallon And The Roots

A special performance for a star-studded benefit concert!

'Hamilton': Lin-Manuel Miranda Reunites Cast To Perform With Jimmy Fallon & The Roots

Dan Akroyd is opening up about bringing Ghostbusters back to the screen without former collaborator and "Ghostbuster" Harold Ramis.

Ghostbusters will finally return with a new sequel when Ghostbusters: Afterlife arrives in 2021. But, sadly, the long-awaited follow-up to 1989's Ghostbusters II only materialized after the passing of Ramis in 2014.

Dan Akroyd talks Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)

Akroyd, 67, spoke to EW about making the film without his late friend, but also how Afterlife remembers the actor's legacy. "To have that formation without that man standing right there on the line with us was a pretty serious adjustment," Akroyd told the publication.

Although he didn't get into details, Akroyd added that the new film will acknowledge Ramis's importance to Ghostbusters. "He will be very well represented in the new film, I can tell you that. He's very honorably represented."

The actor, who portrayed "Egon Spengler" in the franchise, died from complications of vasculitis in 2014.

Ghostbusters cast returns for new Afterlife sequel

Original Ghostbusters cast members Akroyd, Bill Murray, Sigourney Weaver, Ernie Hudson, and Annie Potts will all reprise their roles in Afterlife.

Jason Reitman directs the sequel after his father, Ivan, did the same for the movies in the 1980s. "[Reitman is] passing the DNA of the first two movies directly to the new generation," Akroyd said, referencing the film's new cast members, who include Finn Wolfhard of Stranger Things, Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, and McKenna Grace.

"It's just a lot of fun to see these terrific young actors slinging the old Cadillac around and having the equipment in their hands," he added. "The story that develops from that is scary and funny and heartfelt and also funny. And it feeds into the possibility of more follow-ups with this group and with others who want to join."

Ghostbusters: Afterlife was set for a July 10, 2020, release, but that date got pushed to March 5, 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The new entry in the franchise comes 36 years after Akroyd, Murray, and Ramis first suited up as "The Ghostbusters" in 1984.

Akroyd was in conversation with EW to promote his new Travel Channel TV series, Hotel Paranormal, which premieres on July 11.