Earlier this year, film fans were surprised to learn that another "Ghostbusters" movie is in the works, with Jason Reitman -- son of original "Ghostbusters" director Ivan Reitman -- helming a sequel set for release in 2020. And now, one of the 1984 and 1989 movies' stars has shared plans for an ambitious slate of additional "Ghostbusters" projects, which he says could be hitting screens both big and small within the next few years.

In an interview with The Canadian Press, Dan Aykroyd -- who played Dr. Ray Stantz in the first two films, which he co-wrote with Harold Ramis (who played Dr. Egon Spengler) -- discussed the new sequel, as well as his grand vision for the future of the franchise. That includes a '60s-set prequel film -- and potential TV series -- following the adventures of a teenage Ray, Egon, and Peter Venkman (Bill Murray), which Aykroyd says already has a finished script, which he's given to Reitman to direct.

Here's how the actor described the project:

... I’ve written “Ghostbusters High,” where they meet in New Jersey in 1969 and we’re looking to do that as probably a glorified feature or pilot within the next maybe five years…. And it would lead to a television project and I thought of [Reitman] immediately for that.

But Aykroyd added that that idea was "years away from the current project," which has his and Reitman's full attention right now. But down the line, the actor envisioned several other follow-ups to Reitman's new film, which will then be followed by the prequel, which Aykroyd described as "a perfect button on all we’ve done up to that point."

This isn't the first time the onetime Ray Stantz has shared grand plans for the 'busters, only to have them fizzle over time. It took decades to even make the 2016 reboot, after all. But fans seem especially excited about Reitman's new take on the property, and if it proves popular enough, it could indeed open the door for everything Aykroyd envisions.

In the meantime, expect the new "Ghostbusters" to hit theaters on July 10, 2020.

[via: The Canadian Press]