A couple of days ago we shared some pretty cool reunion footage with the cast of GHOSTBUSTERS for the latest edition of Entertainment Weekly. Within the issue that comes out today there is also a very interesting essay by Ernie Hudson, who played the character of Winston Zeddemore in the movie. It turns out his character was set to have a much bigger role but it was subsequently cut short just before filming began.
Now before people jump on the man’s back and tell him to be happy with what he got, this is the first I’ve ever heard of this story so it sounds like he’s done just that this whole time. It was only when the magazine came knocking for stories that he decided to open up about it and it’s really worth mentioning when talking about GHOSTBUSTERS history if you ask me.
Here is what he said about going from a starring role to a supporting character:
“When I originally got the script, the character of Winston was amazing and I thought it would be career-changing. The character came in right at the very beginning of the movie and had an elaborate background: he was an Air Force major something, a demolitions guy. It was great… The night before filming begins, however, I get this new script and it was shocking. The character was gone. Instead of coming in at the very beginning of the movie, like page 8, the character came in on page 68 after the Ghostbusters were established. His elaborate background was all gone, replaced by me walking in and saying, “If there’s a steady paycheck in it, I’ll believe anything you say.” So that was pretty devastating.”
Hudson doesn't hold a grudge and admits the movie worked out, but can’t help think about what could have been:
“I was a single dad, and we were struggling to kind of hold on and pay the rent. I still needed to do this job. 30 years later, I look back at the movie and it works very well the way it is. I think the character works with what he has to work with. But I’ve always felt like, “Man, if I could’ve played that original character…” Winston wasn’t included in the movie poster or the trailer and all that stuff. I felt, had the original character been in play at the beginning, that would’ve been different because it would’ve clearly been four guys.”
When I think of GHOSTBUSTERS I think of Ray, Peter, and Egon. That poor Zeddemore character didn’t seem to get the spotlight and we may never know why. Some might suggest it was the studio wanting Bill Murray’s Venkman to standout as much as possible; star power is money as we know. What could have or should have been is now up to us to decide when we constantly re-watch these movies.
GHOSTBUSTERS is a classic film that will continue to be praised beyond our lifetimes and it’s good to hear Hudson seems at peace with the whole thing; he’s a class act and I think this sums that up very well:
"I certainly am thankful to have been a part of it. I love being an actor. I still enjoy the process. I’m still hoping that I’m going to get that one great role that I thought I had in the original Ghostbusters. 30 years later, I’m still looking."