Dan Aykroyd, an original cast member of the 1984 Ghostbusters, has come forward to defend the 2016 all-female reboot of the franchise. The reboot, directed by Paul Feig and featuring Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones, faced a storm of racist and sexist backlash from online trolls upon its release.
Aykroyd, who played Dr. Ray Stantz and co-wrote the original movie, expressed his appreciation for the entire Ghostbusters franchise, including the controversial 2016 installment, in a recent interview with People.
Aykroyd acknowledged his personal involvement with the 2016 film, revealing that he was initially upset because he was supposed to serve as a producer and manage the budget more effectively.
Despite these frustrations, he praised the film and its cast, highlighting the performances of McCarthy, Wiig, McKinnon, and Jones. Aykroyd emphasized his pride in licensing the movie and being part of its production, stating his full support for the film and its place within the Ghostbusters series.
The 2016 cast members have also spoken out about the hostile reception they received. Melissa McCarthy and Leslie Jones, in particular, faced severe online abuse.
Jones detailed her experiences in her memoir, Leslie F*cking Jones, describing the barrage of hateful comments, including death threats, that she endured. She questioned the cruelty of such attacks and criticized the individuals who directed their hatred toward the movie’s female leads, especially her, as a Black woman.
Jones also recalled how the backlash was exacerbated by comments from Jason Reitman, the director of Ghostbusters: Afterlife. Reitman had mentioned his intention to create a film that honored the original Ghostbusters, which some interpreted as a slight against the 2016 reboot.
Although Reitman later clarified his statements, Jones felt that the damage had already been done, reinforcing the negativity surrounding the all-female reboot.
Aykroyd’s defense of the 2016 Ghostbusters reboot highlights his respect for the film and its cast despite the financial and critical challenges it faced. His support, alongside the cast’s candid reflections on the abuse they encountered, underscores the ongoing issues of racism and sexism in the entertainment industry.
The backlash against the reboot, and the subsequent remarks from Reitman, illustrate the challenges that female-led projects, particularly those featuring women of color, continue to face.
