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A shot of Fort Macleod's Empress Theatre in the 'Ghostbusters: Afterlife' trailer (Supplied by Sony Pictures Entertainment)

Fort Macleod’s ‘Ghostbusters’ premiere event postponed due to COVID-19

Apr 2, 2020 | 11:29 AM

FORT MACLEOD, AB – It’s tough news for Ghostbusters fans in southern Alberta.

The latest film in the popular franchise, ‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife’, recently had its July 10, 2020 release date pushed to March 5, 2021.

The film is one of many postponing its release dates due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In light of that, the Town of Fort Macleod has postponed its planned film premiere event.

Chief Administrative Officer Sue Keenan told Lethbridge News Now that the town has been in contact with Sony Canada during the developing coronavirus pandemic.

She noted that the town still plans to hold a special event highlighting the film, and that will take place around the movie’s release next March.

“Thankfully for us, we hadn’t started doing a lot of planning [yet] but now that this will be more of a winter-spring event versus a summer event, we’re going to change it up a bit,” she told LNN.

Keenan added an exact date for the event has yet to be set, but a planning committee will reconvene in the summer to discuss ideas for the premiere.

The original plan was to hold the event outdoors, with a red carpet and other fun features.

However, since the film will be released in the winter, Keenan said they’ll most likely move indoors.

“We will shift it over to our big community hall and try and deck it out a little bit, so that we still have a red carpet and it’s still going to have a ‘Hooray for Hollywood’ theme,” she explained.

“The one big bonus will be that we will be able to use those great Hollywood lights that we’re going to hopefully get a hold of because it will be darker at night…we’re adaptable, we’re going to make it work and make it a great event all across the board. We are definitely hoping and confident that it’s going to be a sellout and a great fundraiser for the Empress Theatre.”

The Empress Theatre was on display in the ‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife’ trailer, which can be viewed here.

“It’ll be fun to dress up and have a celebratory evening and you know, just kind of hopefully put all this history of COVID-19 behind us for a while,” Keenan said, adding a thank you to first responders and healthcare professionals who have been on the frontlines in the fight against COVID-19.

“I think our little community is definitely going to need some of this kind of community spirit and excitement in town a little bit later than right now. We’re looking forward to reconnecting with Sony Canada and getting everything up and running for 2021.”

Keenan also thanked everyone that’s reached out to the town, wanting to be a part of the ‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife’ experience.

“We’re looking forward to reconnecting with you in a few months and I just want to say to everybody to stay home, stay healthy and stay safe.”

‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife’ stars Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Mckenna Grace and Vancouver’s Finn Wolfhard.

Some of the original ‘Ghostbusters’ actors set to make appearances include Bill Murray, Ernie Hudson and Dan Aykroyd.