Melissa McCarthy and Dan Aykroyd defend Ghostbusters reboot
By Tribute on May 31, 2016 | 10 Comments
Melissa McCarthy has something to say to the haters of the upcoming all-female Ghostbusters: “I hope they find a friend.”
In a recent interview with The Guardian, the actress spoke about the individuals (aka internet trolls) who’ve gone out of their way to put down the reboot.
“I have a visual of those people not having a Ben [Falcone, Melissa’s husband of 10 years], not having friends, so they’re just sitting there and spewing hate into this fake world of the internet,” she said.
The remake of the 1984 classic has stirred up a whole lot of controversy, with its premiere trailer breaking the record for the most dislikes on YouTube ever.
“All those comments — ‘You’re ruining my childhood!’ I mean, really,” Melissa said. “Four women doing any movie on earth will destroy your childhood?”
In the new Ghostbusters, Melissa plays Abby Yates, a published author on the paranormal, who teams up with her co-author Erin (Kristen Wiig), nuclear engineer Jillian (Kate McKinnon) and subway operator Patty (Leslie Jones) to don proton packs and save the world from a dangerous and evil demon.
“People say to me, ‘These characters are crazy’, and I’m like, “Are they?'” the comedy star continued. “Because I’ve seen three people in a Rite Aid drugstore act like that. I think when a female character acts more defiant, it’s seen as a little more crazy.”
The Oscar nominee went on to say that any criticism of the film stems from sexism and complacency within the movie industry and that the new film fights against the stereotypical “leading woman” cliché.
“There are women in the world like this, we’re just not used to seeing them portrayed,” she added. “We generally just see The Pleasant Lady who stands behind her husband going ‘Oh, Jack.’ But I really love a female character who is not playing by the rules.”
Melissa isn’t the only one confronting the backlash — Dan Aykroyd, star of the original flicks, took to WhoSay on Sunday to praise the film and its stars.
“As originator of the original: Saw test screening of new movie. Apart from brilliant, genuine performances from the cast both female and male, it has more laughs and more scares than the first 2 films,” the legendary comedian wrote. “I’m paying to see that and bringing all my friends!”
Ghostbusters, which will feature cameos from Aykroyd and fellow Ghostbusters alum Bill Murray and Sigourney Weaver, hits theaters on July 15. ~Shelby Morton
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I’ll hold my judgement until I see the film or if it gets great reviews.
Grow up people. A lot of shows are being remade or updated twenty years later. It’s what the movie big wigs are putting out. It takes nothing away from the original and in some cases could be even better than the first one. Watch it before you say stupid things
The main focus is that it’s okay if it’s a all female cast when really nobody cares about that. There are so many other reasons why people should hate this movie but I don’t want people attacking me. Go educate yourself and vote with your money.
I hope Bill Murray is in it. Not sure if he can carry that cast though.
It is just a ploy to attract the next gen of viewers. I just didnt realize that the next gen is focused 100% on a female audience. They have already lost a large portion of the male audience.
I simply don’t like Melissa McCarthy as an actress, that’s the only reason I won’t give this movie a chance.
Judging by the two trailers released so far this looks painfully unfunny and has terrible special effects. Enough with the remakes and sequels already.
I am looking forward to this movie. I think it’s great that it is women (extremely funny women) in the lead roles.
It’s going to be great, I can’t wait to see it. Just the fact that Kristen Wiig is in it is enough to get me to the theatre.
@ Greg C, if you make the point of addressing that there are many reasons why people should not go see this movie, and why they would hate it, you clearly have not made any point to support your opinion or your thoughts on the subject.
Granted that you are entitled to your opinion, not everyone will agree with it, and you can’t expect that anyone will.
The real fact of the matter remains, that people will choose to see, or not see this movie regardless of what opinions, hate, or criticizm is thrown at it. Why? For several different reasons. Some people who have seen both original Ghostbuster movies back in the 80’s will go see it out of nostalgia, because they remember how much they enjoyed the first two films, and thus have an interest in seeing this new remake.
Another reason to go see the movie may spur from a good lineup of some of today’s funniest comedic women/actresses starring in leading Ghostbusting roles, and it has also been mentioned that both Dan Aykroyd and Sigourney Weaver will make Cameos in the movie as well.
These are both good strong reasons why I myself am intterested in seeing it.
I could not care if the movie has a female cast of Ghostbusters, because I understand that the first two original films had an all male cast of Ghostbusters. I also understand the fact that it was the decision of both the producers and directors behind the movie, as well as the studio’s decision to go with something a little different and new. It’s not the first time something like this has happened in a remake.
So why then all the complaining and hate for this movie? The answer is quite simple when you put some thought to it.
Internet trolls will see something they do not like, nitpick, take apart, and evaluate what they would like to see in a movie remake, and what they would not.
What these Internet trolls are forgetting is that they have no real say into what goes or fits into the movie before it gets made, because they are neither directing, producing, or writing a script for this movie, so they have no real input.
The onlly reason that these Internet trolls hate and complain about this particular remake is because they feel a sense of empowerment to do so, and thus the only place they feel like they can vent their frustrations and have a voice is online.