It seems like almost a decade ago we were promised a new Ghostbusters sequel or reboot or whatever, often with the promise of a new, all-female cast. Well, now we finally know who it will star! The Hollywood Reporter reports that comedy stars and co-Bridesmaids Melissa McCarthy and Kristen Wiig will be joined by current SNL hilariladies (that’s a term, right?) Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones as the new, funnier team of Ghostbusters.
Of course Melissa McCarthy first hit the big time as the chef Sookie on Gilmore Girls (now on Netflix) and then has enjoyed a huge career resurgence since her Oscar-nominated role in Bridesmaids, starring in movies like Tammy, The Heat and the upcoming Paul Feig spy comedy Spy, as well as her Emmy-winning role in the TV show Mike and Molly. Wiig, who not only starred in Bridesmaids, but also co-wrote it, first became famous from being amazingly funny on Saturday Night Live. More recently, she’s starred in more indie movies like The Skeleton Twins, dressed up like Harry Styles on The Tonight Show and been the funniest presenter along with friend Bill Hader at the recent Golden Globes.
This will be the first major film role for McKinnon, an out comedian who has been the funniest member of the SNL cast for the last few years. Maybe she’ll play a queer Ghostbuster, wouldn’t that be amazing? Or hey, if any of these actresses play a queer ghostbuster that would be amazing. Jones is also a super funny current SNL cast member, probably most famous for her appearances on Weekend Update. She also had a role in the recent Chris Rock film Top Five.
All four of these women are extremely funny and talented and I can’t wait to see them fighting ghosts together. We already know that Wiig and McCarthy have great chemistry together in the movies and Jones and McKinnon have it on SNL, so things are looking really good. Although I loved the original Ghostbusters, I’m way more excited for this than the rumored sequel with the original cast (minus Harold Ramis who recently passed away). I’m pretty sure everyone who saw the original wished for more Sigourney Weaver, Annie Potts and Gozer, right?
Paul Feig, who directed both Bridesmaids and The Heat will be directing, and there is no announced release date.
We’re still waiting to find out what role the hilarious and super talented Brittani Nichols will be playing, although roles including “mayor,” “person whose home or place of business is being haunted,” “the shape that the ghost takes on when it wants people to find it instantly hilarious and/or lovestruck,” “the talk show host who interviews them and asks if they’ve seen Elvis lately” and “Vigo” (of Ghostbusters II fame) have been hitting the Autostraddle rumor mill.
