Who is Ivan in Ghostbusters 4: Frozen Empire? Tribute Explained

The end of Ghostbusters 4: Frozen Empire, which hit theaters three months ago, featured a dedication message “For Ivan”. As such, many fans are wondering if this movie is dedicated to Ivan Reitman, the director of the original Ghostbusters movie released in 1984. Moreover, there are also fans, especially newcomers, wondering who this “Ivan” is and what Frozen Empire has to do with him. So, who is Ivan in the “For Ivan” message shown at the end of Ghostbusters 4: Frozen Empire? Why is the movie dedicated to him?

Here is everything you need to know regarding the buzzing query.

Who Is Ivan and why was Ghostbusters 4: Frozen Empire dedicated to him?

Ivan in the “For Ivan” message shown at the end of Ghostbusters 4: Frozen Empire is the late Ivan Reitman.

Reitman directed the original Ghostbusters film, which was released in 1984. He also directed Ghostbusters II in 1989. He also produced Ghostbusters, a commercial disaster with all-female leads, in 2016. Ghostbusters: Afterlife was also created by Reitman in 2021. This film was created to commemorate Reitman for his contributions to the comedy-horror franchise.

Reitman passed away on February 12, 2022, at the age of 75. He had died in his sleep at his home in Montecito, California according to the Associated Press, who enquired about the same from his family.

Outside of the Ghostbusters franchise, Ivan Reitman also directed several other films. These include Meatballs, Stripes, Kindergarten Cop, No Strings Attached, and Draft Day.

Ivan Reitman was also the very person who made the original Ghostbusters film what it is today. Although Dan Aykroyd conceived the original idea, it was very ambitious. Reitman who liked Ayrkroyd’s idea, knew that its ambitious scale would not work on account of budgetary limitations and impossibilities. Reitman then convinced Aykroyd to rework the film’s script and shift its tone to be the comedic one it is known for currently. The film’s New York City setting was also reportedly Reitman’s idea. Reitman was also a major factor in getting Columbia Pictures to produce the movie.