‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife’ star Dan Aykroyd thinks offensive comedy is low-hanging fruit, talks new film

Ghostbusters: Afterlife star Dan Aykroyd talks about his new film and reveals his feelings on “cancel culture” surrounding comedy. In short, he thinks it’s low-hanging fruit along the same lines as scatological humor.

People have been discussing offensive comedy more than ever as of late due to the recent Dave Chappelle special that many have deemed transphobic and dangerous for the trans community at large. As an actor known for his comedic chops and early years on Saturday Night Live, it’s no surprise that the question was brought up during a recent interview he did with The Hollywood Reporter.

When asked where he stands on the “cancel culture” debate, Aykroyd said he believes there is “enough range in humor where you don’t have to go scatological and you don’t have to go pulling any divisive cards to get a laugh. There is so much in the world to comment on that is outside the realm of offensiveness.”

According to the 69-year-old actor, scatological, or toilet humor as it’s also known, is just going for the easy laugh. Similarly, Aykroyd believes “there is more intelligent writing that can happen if you stay away from the offensive material that should be rightly canceled for its hurtfulness.”

The Blues Brother star also questioned if it’s still appropriate for him to do his James Brown impression.

“He was one of my best friends. I do his voice pretty good. But maybe I shouldn’t anymore.”

Dan Aykroyd is thrilled to be back for Ghostbusters: Afterlife

Outside of cancel culture, the actor known for playing Ray Stantz talked about what a pleasure it was to be asked back for the newest Ghostbusters film.

"It was full joy, wall to wall. What a privilege to be asked back to do that. It was creative satisfaction working again with Ernie [Hudson], Bill [Murray] and Sigourney [Weaver]. If it weren’t for Jason and Ivan, I don’t know if we would have had the magnificent cast. To hang with brothers like that, family, it’s always fun — memories of good and maybe bad. Some [previous] friction came from how long we had to wear those proton packs and the level of complaint we issued."

Releasing later this month, Ghostbusters: Afterlife is about a single mother and her two children relocating to a new town. They discover they have a connection to the original Ghostbusters. Most of the original cast members from the 1984 film are reprising their roles, joined by franchise newcomers Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace and Paul Rudd.

You can catch Dan Aykroyd in Ghostbusters: Afterlife when it releases in theaters on November 19.