New Ghostbusters Features A Fully Female Cast
I ain’t afraid of no…Girls?
Director Paul Feig has once again proven to be a positive force for change in Hollywood as he goes all femme on his upcoming “Ghostbusters” reboot. That’s right, we all knew that Melissa McCarthy, who was one of the first big names associated with the project, has officially signed on. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the rest of the cast is slated to be a Studio 8H reunion as speculation has been substantiated with reports that Sony is in the late stages of contracting SNL alum Kristen Wiig and active players Leslie Jones and Kate McKinnon.
Feig is eyeing a Summer shoot in NY to bring his quartet of paranormal crime solving and specter snaring ladies to the big screen. McCarthy and Wiig have had a great deal of success under Feig’s direction, both cinematically breaking out with the raunchy Female focused, yet collectively appreciated, “Bridesmaids.”
McKinnon, who was nominated for an Emmy last year, has been on SNL since 2012. She is a diversely skilled master impersonator channeling the likes of Justin Beiber and German Chancellor Angela Merkel Saturday nights on NBC. Most notably, McKinnon was invited by Ellen Degeneres to be a guest on her Day-time show as ‘Ellen.’
Jones, who is a relatively new but rapidly flourishing comedienne, joined SNL early last year only to be quickly promoted to feature player status this past fall. Jones is also receiving a career nudge from another former SNL star as she is currently onscreen in Chris Rock’s “Top Five.”
Harold Ramis, Ernie Hudson, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd (from left to right)
Shortly after Harold Ramis’ passing last year, original director Ivan Reitman departed the project that was at one-time slated to bring back original castmembers Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, Ernie Hudson and perhaps even Bill Murray. Reitman bowed out of the project when Ramis passed away last year. Upon Reitman’s exit, Feig was approached to direct a re-envisioned project with an all-female cast.
Despite some rabid fans being critical and perhaps thinking that “there’s something strange in the neighborhood,” I think that under Feigs direction, McCarthy, Wiig, McKinnon and Jones will be able to skillfully support the weight of those bulky proton packs.
