Paul Feig, the director behind the 2016 Ghostbusters reboot, has offered his support to Leslie Jones, after she criticised plans for a fourth Ghostbusters film, one which will ignore the controversial all-female reboot.
“An absolute honest to God never ending supply of bulls*** and hate from these trolls,” Feig wrote on Twitter, in reference to the misogynistic and racist abuse that Jones has (and continues to receive) online after her Ghostbusters role.
“Leslie spoke her truth and I support her. I am very open to Jason’s new version of GB but am also sad that our 2016 team may not get to bust again. We all are. We’re forever proud of our movie.”
Jason Reitman – son of Ghostbusters (1984) and Ghostbusters 2 director Ivan Reitman – will helm the upcoming sequel and has confirmed the new film will “follow the trajectory of the original films”.
Reacting to the news on Twitter, Jones – who starred in Paul Feig’s 2016 remake, alongside Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig and Kate McKinnon – wrote: “So insulting. Like f**k us. We dint count.
“It’s like something Trump would do. (Trump voice) ‘Gonna redo ghostbusteeeeers, better with men, will be huge. Those women ain’t ghostbusteeeeers’ ugh so annoying.
“Such a dick move. And I don’t give f**k I’m saying something!”
The Saturday Night Live commedian later clarifying her comments, adding: “The point is if they make this new one with all men and it does well which it will. It might feel that ‘boys are better’ it makes my heart drop.
“Maybe I could have use different words but I’m allowed to have my feelings just like them.”
Meanwhile, Ernide Hudson, who played Winston Zeddemore in the original Ghostbusters, has said fellow surviving cast members Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd would reprise their roles if asked.
“Everybody is in,” he said. ”Now whether the studio will do it, I’m the guy who sits by the phone and waits for the call. So if they call, I’ll answer. If not, I’ve got other stuff that I’m doing.”
His co-star Harold Ramis, who played Egon Spengler, died in 2014.
The new film, which Reitman teased in a brief clip, will be set in the present day and will reportedly focus on four teenagers.
