AVID Ghostbusters fans had their “dreams come true” as they starred in the franchise’s latest Hollywood blockbuster.

The Southend Ghostbusters is made up of seven friends who met and bonded over their shared love for the sci-fi franchise and have raised thousands for charity since 2019.

They were given the opportunity to “work with their heroes” as they appeared in “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire”, filming alongside Bill Murray, Paul Rudd, Dan Ackroyd and more big-name actors.

The south Essex residents attended the premiere at London’s Leicester Square last week and the film is now being aired in cinemas across the country. 

Echo: The group on the set of Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire in Reading.The group on the set of Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire in Reading. (Image: Kieran Walker)

Founder Kieran Walker, 35, of London Road, Westcliff, said: “It's simply a dream come true.

“It’s mind-blowing. And there’s so much more to come in the coming weeks and months - but we can’t say what right now.”

Echo: The Southend Ghostbusters with writer Jason Reitman, whose late father Ivan directed the original films.The Southend Ghostbusters with writer Jason Reitman, whose late father Ivan directed the original films. (Image: Kieran Walker)

The crew is made up of Kieran, James Riches, Richard Roberts, Chris Carter, Alan Mechem, Darren McQuade, and Carl Hopcroft, who have raised between £4,000 and £5,000 for south Essex charities.

Scenes for the latest movie, starring Bill Murray, Paul Rudd, and Dan Ackroyd, were filmed at Shinfield Studios in Reading.

The Southend team was part of 7,000 fans invited to take part in filming, spending three days working alongside the Hollywood cast and crew last May.

Echo: Eagle-eyed viewers can spot the Southend Ghostbusters in crowd scenes.Eagle-eyed viewers can spot the Southend Ghostbusters in crowd scenes. (Image: Ghost Corps)

Kieran added: “We walked into the studio and there was this massive reproduction of a New York street, complete with the fire house from the film.

“The cast came out to meet us, including Paul Rudd, Ernie Hudson and Bill Murray.

Echo: Premiere - the crew joined Odeon staff for the first Southend showing of the movie last week.Premiere - the crew joined Odeon staff for the first Southend showing of the movie last week. (Image: Gaz de Vere)

“Chris showed Paul his tattoo sleeve of the original cast, and Paul pointed out he wasn’t on it, so he borrowed my Sharpie and drew a smiley face on his back. Chris later got it tattooed.”

WATCH - Paul Rudd recalls drawing on Southend Ghostbuster Chris:

Kieran describes it as “one of the best experiences of my life”.

He added: “We were recognized for all our charity work and for keeping the franchise alive.

“We love helping people and making a difference in our community but never expected anything like this to happen.”

Echo: The gang met star Dan Akroyd at a convention, the day after filming for the same movie.The gang met star Dan Akroyd at a convention, the day after filming for the same movie. (Image: Kieran Walker)

The team is off to New York in June, for a celebration to mark 40 years of the franchise, at the actual fire station used in the films.

On Sunday, the group will visit Basildon Festival Leisure to raise funds for Reach Equine Therapy.