Thursday, January 29, 2015

Ghostbusters Is For Girls!

As I'm sure you guys have picked up over the years, I am a HUGE Ghostbusters fan.



So to get my daily dose of 'bustin' I follow a popular GB fan page over on Facebook.

Let me show you the top-rated comments on that page's last 2 posts regarding the all-female cast announced for the new movie:

Let me clarify that the facebook page itself said nothing negative. These are all just the fans' reactions. And count the upvotes on that jaw-droppingly sexist top meme, guys. COUNT 'EM.

This next post was only an hour old when I took the screenshot:


It's not just the top-voted comments that are awful, either; all of them are. I couldn't find a single positive remark about the cast or the movie. NOT ONE.

Over at The Replica Prop Forum, another great geek page I follow, things aren't much better. All they did was link the same Esquire article the GB page did:


And here are their top-rated comments:



Now, I get it: geeks are, by very definition, passionate people. Every new reboot of a beloved franchise is going to cause a firestorm of controversy, no matter what. This one is just especially heated because it brought all the sexist knuckle-draggers out of their caves.

Personally, I am beyond thrilled at the thought of some ass-kicking lady Ghostbusters hitting the big screen. Brainy, everyday women who fight their own battles in outfits NOT painted on with liquid latex? YES, PLEASE.

At the same time, I worry they'll go too heavy on the slap-stick, neglecting the heart and heroics for easy laughs at stereotypically "girl" things. And I'm a little heartbroken that Tina Fey isn't involved.

But hey, that's a writing thing, and I admit I have no real basis for those fears. It's just a worst-case scenario, running through my head.

So really, the only thing *I* see to be upset about here is that they're making the movie a reboot. Blurrrg. Why, Hollywood, why? I SO want to see women 'busting, but why does it have to be at the price of eradicating the original lore? No more Spengler and Stanz? No more Winston and Venkman? Really? Give us that history, so we can have homages and references to the original films, cameos from the surviving cast, and a sense of legacy. Then you're only adding to something great, instead of trying to replace it all together. I mean, COME. ONNNN!

[patting down hair]

Sorry; may have got a little nerd rage on ya there.

Reboot disappointments aside, though, I really want this movie to work. Because if these jerks online have shown us anything, it's that we NEED female Ghostbusters, just to show 'em how it's done.

 (Epbot reader Joanna's daughter Fya, from my post here)

Am I right, ladies?





69 comments:

  1. Somewhere out there, a Ghostbusters fan puts the whole reboot controversy into perspective: http://ourvaluedcustomers.blogspot.com/2015/01/in-response-to-his-friends-complaints.html

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  2. Ugh, thank you for this. I completely agree that the reboot idea isn't the best but I am so stoked for the all female cast! And honestly, to the guy who said a whole cast of women sounds like a gimmick, it's when a whole cast of super heroes only includes one or two women to five or six guys that's the real gimmick.

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  3. It makes me so sad and mad that they won't even wait for more news than the cast list to bash the director and his team's choices. I for one think Paul Feig is an EXCELLENT choice for the reboot (if The Heat and Bridesmaids say anything about his talent for depicting women's stories), although I do agree and wish that it weren't a reboot and took place in the original film's canon universe.

    Here's hoping the new film ROCKS and puts those smug little nerds in their places.

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  4. I don't personally understand the female cast. I feel like you can't make a reboot where everyone is a different gender. I agree with the only commenter that didn't come off as sexust that it just reeks of marketing ploy. I wouldn't mind if it were, as you say, a continuation instead of a reboot, and maybe a couple of them happened to be female. That would seem more natural. So I guess my only problem with an all female cast is that it just seems really forced.

    Those are indeed great pictures of women cosplaying as Ghostbusters. The children are especially awesome. Look how confident they are! I hope they stay like that and keep dressing up as their heroes, no matter who (or what gender) those heroes happen to be.

    I think the adults who chose to cosplay as Ghostbusters give me pause as to how the film is ultimately going to go with an all-female cast though. Five out of the eight adult women chose to represent themselves in a sexualized way. They couldn't JUST be "brainy, everyday women who fight their own battles in outfits NOT painted on with liquid latex," they had to also put a lot of emphasis on looking appealing to men while they did it. It just seems to be the exact opposite message you were trying to send when you highlighted their choice of attire. And if WOMEN seem to expect that the most important thing is to look smokin' hot (which in this case is ridiculously impractical. The original ghostbusters actually needed their coveralls to cover all), then how can we then expect men to not feel that way?

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    1. Huh, I only thought 2 of them over did the sexy in the costume.

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    2. I agree it could be a gimmick or marketing ploy, but if the writing it top-notch, I'm Ok with that!

      Regarding the costumes, though, you might google "female ghostbuster" and check out the results: 95% of the hits are EXTREMELY sexualized pin-up costumes, while the ones I've highlighted here are - I think - reasonably feminine examples. The original guys sometimes wore their coveralls unzipped to show the undershirts, too, and it would make sense that a women's cut coverall would be more fitted. Besides, there's nothing wrong with looking attractive, so long as the look is still SOMEWHAT practical for the job at hand.

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    3. I agree with a lot of what you are saying Naomi, I too worry that this choice is gimmicky, but I don't want everyone to loose sight of the fact that just because a woman wants to look feminine, sexy, or *gasp* pin-up-y it means that they are only doing it to "look appealing to men".
      Woman can, and very often do, what to look like many of those things because they simply want to. Maybe it makes them feel good, maybe they think they look hot, maybe they just like they way they look and feel.
      When I go out looking good for the day the farthest though in my mind is "What will be appealing to a man's eye?". I have a lovely wonderful fiance at home, and I'm not out to hope other guys are looking at me, or enjoying the view, I make choices based on how I want to look and feel about myself.

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    4. I totally agree that one doesn't have to be "doing it to attract men" in order to look sexy and confident. Every day when I leave the house to go to a meeting or even if it's just to go grocery shopping, I brush my hair and put on my best clothes and make up (yes, I wear even bright red lipstick and killer heels to go shopping ) because it makes me feel good. It has nothing to do with attracting males, or females for that matter. It's more about the image you want to project, ie. does this woman believe in herself? I believe it's important to show people they are worth making an effort for and that a sexy confident woman doesn't need to be intimidating or a threat. Hopefully I can one day inspire other women to make the most of their assets, hair... shoes... not too much cleavage! Never ever have I ever dressed to attract a man other than my husband. It seems today that there are only two options open for women; either be a righteous dowdy frump, or be a slut wih a push up bra and an oral fixation. Certain obvious proffessions aside, why can't we teach our friends and daughters that you don't have to hide your boobs to do a certain job? Are we making so little progress in feminist society, that we still have to choose between looking good and being brainy and capable?

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  5. I'm with Naomi...it feels like a "hook." I'd far rather see this be a mixed team--men and women working together to combat those darn ghosts. (And...why a reboot? Why not just a continuation of the narrative with a new generation? Reboots always imply that there was something wrong with the previous film and that the new creative team must repair it...)

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    1. Aye, I wish they had gone with something like "Batman, Inc." and just expanded the franchise. There's more than enough room in the concept to do that. The reboot angle is really what makes this not sit well with me. All female cast? Sure, whatever. Reboot with an all female cast? Yeah, that smacks of a PR stunt to me. It's lazy and cynical.

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  6. So, I have to ask: if an all-male cast isn't a "hook" or a "gimmick", why is an all-female cast one?

    Hint: it's not. "Male" has to stop being the default position.

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    1. Came down here to say just that. Feeling more comfortable with a mixed gender cast instead of an all female cast is in no way less sexist than demanding the characters stay all men. Women make up a majority of the movie-going audience and are NOT a gimmick.

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    2. ^MTE. Fascinating, though, how many people are quick to criticize without examining their own logic properly.

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    3. I came here to say the exact same thing. Why is it a "gimmick" when four (four! not twenty or 100) women work together? Now I'm thinking about Designing Women and wanting to see an all male cast for that . . .

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    5. f it were an original work with an all-female lead cast, I wouldn't think twice. It's the "let's do it again, but with GIRLS!" approach that bothers me. I think they're actually playing to the point Lisa made about a majority of movie-goers being female. They think they're doing something clever, but it's really just kinda lazy.
      (Also, I'll admit that I dislike much of anything that feels like it's pandering to my gender, from politics to women's conferences. I so rarely fit the concept...)

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    6. As Kae has said, it wouldn't be a gimmick if it were a continuation or a next gen kind of thing. The thing is, the original was a cast of all men, so if you just change the gender of the starring cast like that, it isn't a reboot, it's a gender-swap. Which I find weird. And very, very gimmicky.

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  7. Not a fan of the reboot. All I keep thinking of is that they are going to parallel universe this.

    Anyway, just how adorable is that little ghostbuster with the baby slimer in the trap stroller.

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  8. I was onboard all the way up to the word "reboot".

    One of the early concepts for the original script (back when it was going to star John Belushi), was that there would be "Ghostbusters" franchises all over the country. And can't you just imagine Venkman selling those franchises?! In fact, this idea was the basis for the original "Ghostbusters" RPG - the characters had bought into a franchise and were essentially on their own. (Since the "corporate support" they had been sold was essentially a hearty "Good Luck!")
    There is definitely a script idea in the idea of four women buying a "Ghostbusters" franchise (not to mention a juicy cameo or two!). A reboot, on the other hand, just sounds like a retread of what's been done. Given that I usually name "Ghostbusters" as "the last funny movie made in America", and the fact that everyone involved in this project has a list of previous credits that I found spectacularly unfunny - I'm afraid this may end up being a "meh, maybe when it's on TV" film for me...

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  9. I wasn't thrilled about the casting, not because it's all female, but because of the way they cast it: I'm worried that it will just be bridesmaids-with-ghosts and I didn't find that movie funny at ALL. And this is the first I heard of it being a REBOOT! That's not cool, Hollywood. Not cool at all. I don't want a genderbent remake. I want a new movie!

    This is why I'm always a bit leery when people start hyping female-lead movies. Not because I don't want more female-lead movies, but because they usually end up being gimmicky and, well, bad.

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  10. HOW DARE THAT GUY USE THAT FUTURAMA MEME FOR SEXISM!!!! The only Futurama meme that should be used here is "Shut up and take my money!" *cough* Anyway......I agree with you that making a reboot is stupid and I also really hope that this film works. I really enjoyed Bridesmaids and the Heat so I'll be seeing this for sure. (However, I really hope...although I'm not holding my breath....that Melissa's character is different than the character's she's been playing lately.)

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  11. My issue here is that I didn't really like Bridesmaids and with two of the same actresses and the same director, it seems likely that they will be similar films and similar forms of humour. Bridesmaids didn't make me laugh, it made me cringe. But that's just my sense of humour.

    However, they're different films and they might be completely different. I just hope that they try to keep the spirit of the original films and don't completely ignore them or rewrite the same plot.

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  12. I am all about a female ghostbusters movie. I can take or leave the reboot aspect, but I definitely don't understand all the hate pouring out of those FB comments you showed us. Aside from embracing the idea of a female cast for the RIGHT reasons (which certainly some people will do), I would have expected (certainly stereotypically) that many men would be excited about the prospect as well. Plenty of men I know enjoy watching women in movies more than men and even male gamers make their avatars female for various reasons. Where are THOSE men in all this? Why aren't they speaking up? Anyway, the FB comments remind me of the "Batfleck" whining that occurred when Ben Affleck was cast as the next Batman. Maybe he's not everyone's first choice ... but whoever is cast in any role of any movie ... shouldn't we give them a chance and see the movie before we judge?

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  13. I have to agree with Emily E. Cool with the concept, turned off by the actresses and their past work. I can't see the horrible nonsense that was Bridesmaids leading to a brainy and intelligent reboot of ghostbusters. I don't want to see them make crude jokes about poop and sex.

    And I also agree that I don't want to see the same film with gender swapping but as always I will give them the chance to screw up the script before I cast daggers.

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  14. Perhaps the most telling comment is that people STILL feel that an all female cast is somehow a gimmick. As if nowhere in the real universe do women get together without men and do shit. If there is BETTER argument for an all female cast reboot than ending that perception, I can't think of it.

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    1. TOTALLY agree-- but sadly Hollywood doesn't run in the 'real universe' very often. :-/

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    2. But again, as a *re-boot*, it's a terrible idea. It *is* a gimmick. I like Jill Lybarger's idea, that they make it a continuation. Where the franchising *did* happen, and this is a group of women just starting theirs. They could keep their "reboot" by having the girls have many of the same issues the original cast did, and update it to today, while keeping everyone happy. I for one am happy they at least went with "real women" rather than Twiggy wannabes with Dolly Parton attributes.

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  15. I'm sure you hear it all the time, but at times like these, I'm really glad we have Epbot as a safe place for being nerdy girls on the internet.

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  16. This makes me sad. If a cast is all-male.....no comments. The second you have all women instead....it must be a gimmick/it's a horrible idea. *sigh*

    I'm with you on wishing it wasn't a reboot. Come on....write a new script people. We want more stories...not the same old ones changed just slightly! :(

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    1. Exactly what I was going to say! Why are all-male-led movies OK, but not all-women (unless it's Sex in the City, urgh)?

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    2. It isn't so much that it's an all female lead. It's that all they are doing is filming the original movie with women instead. *That* is the issue. If they were making a new movie to the franchise, then the all female wouldn't be as much of an issue. By using all women, they *are* making it gimmicky. And that's just wrong. Women should be able to stand on their own instead of having to be relegated as a second thought.

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  17. I hope it's so good these cavemen have to eat every word. I am stoked.

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  18. I'm with you on the "reboot" thing. Would love to see a new story that references the old but stands on its own. I honestly was startled at first to see this reaction, but then not really that surprised. How come the Internet brings out the worst? When my hubby and I first saw the news and discussed it, our reactions were, "Cool, Kristin Wiig will be awesome!" and (hubby) "I think it's great except I can't take Melissa McCarthy seriously as an actor, I think she'll only play the same character she's played before." A valid opinion, I feel the same way about Chris Pratt, although I disagree about MM, I love her. :)

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  19. I'm in the, "Is nothing sacred?!" camp. It's not that I have a problem with the Ghostbusters being female, it's that I have a problem with what I'm afraid is going to be a movie filled with low-rent jokes and bathroom humor.
    I was so offended by Bridesmaids, that I walked out of the theater. I am not a particularly frail person, I just like my humor sharp witted and entertaining... like the original Ghostbusters.
    I hope I and the other skeptics are are wrong. I'll wait for previews to decide if I'm going to give the movie a chance. But what's next, a reboot of The Princess Bride? *shudder*

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    1. Do not even speak of such horrors as a Princess Bride reboot! *falls down in shock at the thought*

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    2. A Princess Bride reboot? INCONCEIVABLE!

      --Piper P from Washington State

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  20. "So really, the only thing *I* see to be upset about here is that they're making the movie a reboot. Blurrrg. Why, Hollywood, why? I SO want to see women 'busting, but why does it have to be at the price of eradicating the original lore? No more Spengler and Stanz? No more Winston and Venkman? Really? Give us that history, so we can have homages and references to the original films, cameos from the surviving cast, and a sense of legacy. Then you're only adding to something great, instead of trying to replace it all together. "

    THIS. A million times this. I'm happy with the cast they picked, but for God's sake, don't do a remake! The original was so brilliant. Can't it be more like Star Wars, where we just add to the lore, not replace it?

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  21. I think many people's problem with this reboot is that they are messing with OUR / MY Ghostbusters. I don't like the "REBOOT" idea, I like my old Ghostbusters. And I wouldn't be opposed to a new generations of busters (or bustettes) but I'm not crazy about the casting choices either. Kristin Wiig and Kate McKinnon I find funny only about 10% of the time - the other 90% I find annoying. What little I have seen of Leslie Jones has been her limited skits on SNL. Now Melissa McCarthy I find hilarious. I'll see the movie, but I'll go into the theatre with popcorn and cautious optimism.

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  22. Hmm...do we really know if any of those memes are being sexist? (Minus the 2 that obviously are: the one with four men and the one about women answering the phone - I agree YES THOSE ARE HORRIBLE!) I think it's bad to jump to conclusions on the rest. It could be the original posters are against a particular casting, or the "Bridesmaids angle," or the fact it's a reboot. I get that hating on it without giving it a chance is a valid argument, but I wouldn't label everything as "sexist" without more knowledge. Makes it look like we can't have legitimate concerns unless its gender bias.

    Honestly, my first thought when I heard the news was that it would be "Bridesmaids with ghosts" just based on the recent work of those actresses and the names behind the movie. :( Totally not the same heart and spirit of the original. I think Tina Fey and Amy Poehler would have been better choices, they've proved they can be intelligent and still be funny. That doesn't mean these women can't do that too, they're professionals after all, but that hasn't come across in some of the projects they've been associated with, which leads me to have concern about the final GB product. Reboots are always a gamble, but I've loved various Batmans and Supermans, and could potentially get behind new Venkmans and Spenglers...if it's handled right. I'll wait till there are trailers to watch before deciding if my money is better spent elsewhere.



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  23. I seriously doubt this is going to be any good, not because an all female GB film is a bad idea, but because they will make it so loaded with man hate, ultra-feminist far left talking-point laden that even people sympathetic to the cause will not find it entertaining. And Geeks, just coming off Gamergate and the whining whinging attacks on a guy for a shirt are not going to be in the mood for the preaching. Then again, they could only slightly update the original and it would have a 90% chance of being horrid tripe.
    Now all they have to do is prove me wrong.
    That would be nice.

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    1. ..I kinda think comments like the one above are the best possible proof that we need female leads....

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    2. Yikes. This makes me VERY uncomfortable.

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    3. Troll in the dungeon!! Troll in the dungeon!

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  24. Came down here to say what just most people have already said; which actually makes me pretty happy: ("MY PEOPLE!! I LoOoves ya!!")

    But there is one point I want to make: there WAS a reason the previous cast was all Male; the Bill Murray character was a frustrated playa that belittled women, and the others were all SUCH nerds that the stereotype reads that they weren't "comfortable" with any women as intellectual equals. So if this is a "reboot" (again; SO unnecessary; there's so much room here for expansion) are all the Women going to be similar scientist snobs? Will Dozer be a man and the Rick Moranis character be a woman too?

    I'm just going to say my prayers and hope that once they get into the script; they realize how a straight reboot just won't Work as well as a Branch-off. Maybe the reason they're calling it a 'reboot' is because they don't want to have this get pulled out as a "Chippettes" to the "Chipmunks" kind of thing, where everyone expects the originals to come out and everyone end up 'together', because.... ugh. :-P

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    1. ..um.. it was "Gozier" not Dozer, wasn't it? :( Please don't take away my geek card.....

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  25. The minute I heard "Melissa McCarthy" I was out. I can't stand her.

    Soooo...No.

    And "funny" in today's films isn't the same "funny" from 20 years ago. So, again, I decided against going. :)

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    1. I've never managed to watch more than a few minutes of a Melissa McCathy movie. I don't think she's funny. I think she's crass and crude and that's just not my kind of humor. I don't object to all female Ghostbusters, I object to these particular female Ghostbusters.

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    2. I love both of your comments. Low-rent humor isn't funny to me.

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  26. While I'm not wild about the reboot idea, my only casting complaint so far is that Annie Potts isn't involved. Although I suppose with it being a reboot and not an EU film, maybe that would be crossing the streams? I would have loved to see it as a continuation of the story, and Janine had been promoted from secretary to hunter. THAT I would pay to see.

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    1. That would have been a perfect hook to expand the IP, instead of a reboot. I'd love to see that. She would be in a perfect place to get a new generation of 'Busters involved.

      I'm not opposed to women. I'm opposed to lazy PR stunts, dumb writing and "politically correct" hogwash.

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    2. Fantastic idea Nagzilla! Annie Potts would have been awesome. There is so much they could have done with her leading this, and making it a sequel instead of a reboot. I can see her rebooting the company after a time where the company had become obsolete, but all of a sudden there's a new surge of ghostly activity, and the guys are happily retired (cameos!), so she ends up stepping up to head the company.

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    3. The Real Ghostbusters was an animated series that came out after the movies. They did promote Janine to a ghostbuster! There was an action figure of here and everything - she had her coveralls and pack. Would have been great if they had followed that story line out further. I really enjoyed that series - even explained the movies as being about the animated characters (and that Bill Murray, et al didn't look anything like them lol).

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  27. I was apprehensive when I first heard about an all-female cast, because it sounded like a gimmick that's pandering to female audiences: "You want female leads? We'll make Ms. Venkman and the Lady Ghostbusters!" instead of just Ghostbusters who happen to be women. I'm really hoping they don't make the new characters counterparts of the original guys. I also don't understand the need for a "reboot" when a sequel that involved Ghostbusters franchises would probably be a better script because the universe is already built for the story.

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  28. Thank you, Kelly B! Exactly what I was going to say!

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  29. There's already a group of all lady Ghostbusters. They're in the Comic The New Ghostbusters. There's no need to reboot the originals with an all female cast, the material's already there. I'm still on the fence about this new movie, but if they go with the existing lady Ghostbusters story I'll feel better about it.

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    1. Well, they had a token dude... and were semi-temporary. That said, I really love the whole current IDW comic run, including that storyline. (Though arguably that could be seen as as much of/more of a ploy than this… given that it was a temporary event, launched under a new title, with a “Now who am I gonna call?” tag line.) (IDEC though I love Janine.)

      Also meh about the reboot aspect, because some of the expanded universe sets up in-universe Ghostbusters franchises really well which would make it SO EASY... and generally I've just been more into canon continuations than retreads.

      But I'm still excited! And one thing about the reboot aspect is that it can present lady characters as the ones who actually have the idea to begin with, and not just step in and deal with it. Lady characters as scientists in more than the "hot scientist" trope role. Lady characters as entrepreneurs in more than the “plucky office girl” trope role. I hope for a new take but it would also be really great to see a woman in the “charismatic jerkass” Venkman role, shamelessly hitting on a babe while shock torturing a nerd in the opening scene.

      So I’m excited, regardless of potential ploy-ness. I hope they take this opportunity to make good female characters, and I’m glad the director is someone who seems to have an interest in doing that, recently. Honestly, it doesn’t matter to me if something is a ploy, if it encourages progress. If it’s a success, it will influence other filmmakers down the line, and eventually we’ll (hopefully) reach a point where four female characters in a non-chick-flick plot aren’t even regarded as a ploy.

      Sorry that turned into a really long comment.

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  30. I think a lot of the girls posting feel the same as I.
    I'm not upset about an all girl cast, but why does it have to be one gender or the other? Why not a mixed cast? Or a cast that could be the original characters "kids" all grown up. ('CUZ THAT WOULD BE KICK ASS).

    The cast that they chose makes me worry.
    I agree with Jill. I was excited to watch Bridesmaids (which consisted mostly of SNL ladies) and was so uncomfortable that I could barely finish the movie. Bridesmaids was supposed to be a "girl version" of The Hangover, but it was so much more grotesque and over the top than funny. But I do hope they do a complementary movie that doesn't try to replace the existing. There is no replacement for Bill F*&%ing Murray.

    I don't understand the new trend in Hollywood where we have to remake every movie ever made. I'm seriously concerned that there are no longer any creative minds thinking up new geeky goodness for us to enjoy at home with our cats and hot tea. There are so many remakes being made, and I can't think of one that was successful (Maybe the Hulk, but the first one was pretty terrible). When you have to go to extremes and redo Footloose and West Side Story, there's a bigger problem.

    *End Rant*
    --Piper P from Washington State

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    1. Eh, the "everyone's kids just happen to get together cause they have nothing better to do, and retread the original movie's plot" thing reads as much more of a ploy to me than this.

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    2. THIS. EXACTLY this. Bridesmaids wasn't in the least bit funny. It was painful to watch and tried way too hard. I don't have a problem with casting an all-woman cast in the new movie; what bothers me is that they've cast two of the leads from an unfunny, lazily-scripted movie to star in it.

      And I LOVE the idea of the original characters' kids all grown up doing the movie. Sadly, that'll never happen, though.

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  31. I'm excited to see how this movie will turn out, but I do agree that rebooting all our old favorites lately is getting old and making me wonder if there are just no new ideas for movies.I think they picked a good cast for this movie and at least with it being all women, we aren't going to be comparing as much (maybe?) and freaking out in the theater: "No one can replace Bill Murray!" etc. So, it'll be interesting to see how they do it. That said, I'm bracing myself for the day I turn on the TV and see the reboot of Back to the Future coming. Please no.

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  32. I read a comment on another post somewhere that had a really good point. If they took one of the original cast and had them do a cameo, or actual character, of handing the reins over to the new GhostBuster team, I think that would work fine. Reboot, no. There are too many die hard fans and too many opportunities to screw things up. BUT... doing a X-years down the road, new staff takes over, yes, I think that would be great.

    Not sure about the cast. Will have to see. GhostBusters was not a comedy. Well not an outright comedy. If that makes sense? And the new cast seems more bent towards a funny haha movie than the original flavour.

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  33. I'm glad you wrote this - I was wondering what you were thinking about the all-female Ghostbusters, but I had no idea about the backlash. I'm stunned by the close-mindedness, the sexism, the hate that still manage to thrive in the geek community (or whatever you want to call it), but I suppose that stuff crops up everywhere, and why should they be held to a higher standard? I'm deep in the aggressively feminist, paradigm-overturning, Whedon-worshipping, Hawkeye initiative realm of Tumblr, and I tend to forget that there's a conservative end of the spectrum in every group. Ugh.

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  34. I completely agree that we need female ghostbusters. My problem is the casting choice and choice of writing. I really disliked Bridesmaids and The Heat etc. That style of comedy that isn't clever or interesting does nothing for me, and I worry that the actors and writers will bring that to ghostbusters. I mean, Ghostbusters has always had an element of slapstick/gross out comedy, but it was only part of a whole. The really excellent humour came from the wonderful sarcasm and brilliant one liners.

    I also agree that this should not be a reboot. It should be passing on the torch to the next generation, not rewriting history.

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  35. I enjoyed Ghostbusters as a kid, and just heard about this remake. I feel sad for the viscerally hateful responses coming from mostly men on this issue, and some women of course. As if having women characters makes something bad or not worth watching anymore. I find an all-female cast of Ghostbusters intriguing, and one with a lot of potential. I'm personally not a fan of Kristin Wiig and agree that they could have done a better casting job. I think there are plenty of other talented actresses in Hollywood who would have been better suited to this role. But I feel that people get chosen on their popularity rather than how well they fit a particular role. Oh well! I wish the new Ghostbusters luck and I hope it's well-written, clever, and funny!

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  36. My only comment when I saw this was happening was, "Too bad they didn't make these the daughters of the original Ghostbusters. They could have made them complete non-believers who inherited the business. Otherwise, this has the potential to be marvelous because the actors are all amazing!" The funny is not gender related, it's too bad so many people can't see that.

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  37. This is beautiful. thank you for expressing your disappointment about the reboot that has nothing to do with a all female cast. Strong women kicking ass in real clothes sounds awesome I just wish it wasn't ghostbusters but something new that we could all get excited about. I love Malissa McCarthy so I will definitely be in line when it comes out and will try to keep my nerd rage judging to a minimum. Come on yall the new star trek is awesome maybe this will be too

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  38. i know i'm WAY late in this, but dangit, i'm glad i'm not the only one who just isn't feeling the actresses or director. talented, yes. the right cast for ghostbusters without it being " with ghosts"? nope. i personally think that at least half of that cast is grossly overrated, and just not funny. will i see the movie? of course. hoping to be pleasantly surprised.

    /rant over.

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