Recently, MKAU Gaming had the chance to chat with legend of star and screen, Ernie Hudson, via a Q+A forum, before his appearance at Supanova. Check out our questions and Ernie’s replies below!

James: This looks to be your first Australian pop culture convention appearance! What are you most looking forward to about spending your time in Australia and attending Supanova?

• Ernie Hudson: I’m mostly looking forward to meeting with the fans, hearing their stories and just having fun with the people who loved the movies.

James: You’ve starred in many iconic franchises, such as Ghostbusters, The Crow, Star Wars, and the upcoming Toy Story 5. Which single franchise was the most personally and professionally enjoyable for you, and why?

• Ernie Hudson: I have to say Ghostbusters. It’s been a part of my life for over 40 years, and the fans are amazing, loving, kind and generous. I’ve done many movies, but Ghostbusters warms my heart and lets me know that I’m part of a community of people who care. The Ghostbusters fan chapters are doing amazing work in their communities for charities that they sponsor all over the world. I’m just so proud to be a part of the Ghostbusters franchise.

James: 2021’s return of Winston Zeddermore in Ghostbusters: Afterlife felt like an honourable homecoming to some cinematic friends and a fond farewell to an icon in Harold Ramis (aka Egon Spengler).

How important was this reunion to you? Also, did you have any say or an opportunity to participate on the creative side of the film, e.g., how you wanted the story and characters to be portrayed in this on-screen reunion?

• Ernie Hudson: Jason Reitman, who directed Ghostbusters: Afterlife, has always been open to ideas and suggestions. We had many discussions about the direction of Winston‘s character, and he always took them seriously and, in some cases, included them in the film. It took so many years to do the next Ghostbusters, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, that I’d begun to believe that it would never happen.

  So when it did come to fruition, and we were about to shoot the film, I saw Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver and Annie Potts, I was deeply moved. I was almost to the point of tears. This movie has been such a huge part of my life for so many years, and the people have been like family to me, so I was very excited to begin work on a new chapter in Ghostbusters history.

James: Recently, MKAU had the opportunity to interview Alex Proyas, director of The Crow (1994). In that interview, we posed an alternative-timeline-based question about what the The Crow franchise would look like had Brandon Lee continued. Proyas stated that the one variable for him to return would be if Brandon wanted to. If Brandon said yes, then he would return to write/direct another. What are your thoughts on this alternative-timeline/what-if scenario? Would you have also returned to the series?

• Ernie Hudson: For me, Brandon Lee was The Crow. The thought of anyone else playing the part is ridiculous and absurd. Had Brandon lived, I would have been more than happy to reprise my role as Sergeant Albrecht. Alex Proyas, in my opinion, is a genius. He’s, without a doubt, one of the best directors I have ever had the privilege of working with. I would jump at the chance to work with him on anything he’s doing. But the thought of anyone else playing Eric Draven is sad and absurd, and I would not want to have anything to do with it.

James: You’ve lived and promoted the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and fitness diet. If people wish to aspire to your level of health and physique, what are some key factors that people should look at pursuing?

• Ernie Hudson: I have been physically active my entire life. Now that I’m in my senior years, I realise how blessed I am to be able to physically perform at a high level whenever the need calls for it. People asked me for advice, and the one suggestion I have for everyone is to not wait for the ideal time or when you’ll have time to do all the things you want to do, but rather do a little bit each day. Get a physical routine that you can do at home, in a hotel, anywhere and be consistent with it. For me, that means doing 100 push-ups on a daily or every other day basis, doing situps, planks, squats, balancing on one leg, and any number of activities that don’t take up much time, but over time will keep your body physically strong and able to respond to any unexpected circumstances.

James: Biopics are steadily becoming a trend in filmmaking. If you could choose any person to have a biopic made on, who would it be and why?

• Ernie Hudson: I honestly have no idea. No one comes to mind.

James: In a similar tone, if you were to play someone in a biopic, who would you like to portray?

• Ernie Hudson: No one comes to mind.

James: As a veteran actor and someone who has witnessed immense change in the industry, what advice would you give to aspiring actors looking to break into the industry today?

• Ernie Hudson: Don’t put your career in anyone else’s hands. Trust your inner guide, and prepare, prepare, prepare!

You can see and meet the famed Ghostbuster Ernie Hudson live at Supanova Gold Coast on April 11th and 12th, 2026, at the Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre and at the Melbourne Supanova, April 18th and 19th, 2026, at the Melbourne Showgrounds!