Emily Alyn Lind talks secrecy of her Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire character and the relationship between Phoebe and Melody - Ghostbusters News (2024)

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Among Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire‘s various intermingling narratives is that of an endearing connection between Mckenna Grace’s character, Phoebe Spengler, and Melody, a spectral presence portrayed by Emily Alyn Lind.

While a ghost, rather than echoing the antics of franchise mainstay Slimer, Melody, in the form of a 16-year-old girl, is treated similarly in the vein of Ghostbusters: Afterlife‘s Ghost Egon, capturing the attention and affection of the young Spengler following a park-based chess match.

In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Lynd discusses her role as Melody, including why she feels the character was likely left off nearly all marketing materials surrounding the film.

“I asked the same question. I was a little confused as well, but I think it’s because this is a very different kind of ghost for theGhostbustersfranchise,” continuing, “She’s a ghost with a heart. She’s a ghost that has a full human relationship. So I think that there was a part of them that really wanted to catch people off guard in that sense.”

The secret nature of Frozen Empire wasn’t just isolated to the film’s marketing. Even in pre-production, Lynd was unaware that Melody was even a ghost at first, with the character being written to be relatable in a very humanlike way.

“I met with [director] Gil [Kenan] a few times to delve into the character, and he never mentioned that I was playing a ghost. But he was like, ‘I think you’ll like it. There’s a few surprises there.’ And when I finally read that she’s a ghost,’ I said, ‘What!?’” Lind recalls.

Phoebe and Melody’s friendship has been a talking point amongst some fans, with many picking up on a potential romance. While there’s an emotional attachment, especially given the lengths that Grace’s character goes to in an attempt to seek a further connection with Melody, the extent of the relationship is left up to interpretation, with Lind saying:

“Phoebe and Melody are cut from the same cloth in a lot of ways. They’re both outsiders in their own ways. They’re both old souls, figuratively and literally. And since physical touch was off the table, that can get pretty irritating in the beginning of any relationship. So [Phoebe] just wanted to be able to be close to this person. Your question is basically, “Is this a romantic relationship or a friendship?” and a lot of people are asking that. But the beauty of this movie is that it’s just two souls connecting. The fact that they literally can’t touch is a metaphor for their deeper soul connection that defies labels,” adding, “I like that we didn’t define it as one thing or another. Sometimes, when people do that, it ruins it. It’s too concrete and absolute, and they’re so not absolute as characters.”