'Ghostbusters' reboot: Here's the new cast and the release date
The female cast members for the new version of 'Ghostbusters' have reportedly been named. 'Ghostbusters' original star Bill Murray gave his approval to two of them in an interview last year.
Actress Melissa McCarthy will reportedly star in a new 'Ghostbusters' film.
Mario Anzuoni/Reuters
Director Paul Feig figured out who he wanted to call.
“Bridesmaids” helmer Feig, who is directing a new version of “Ghostbusters,” has reportedly selected actresses Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Leslie Jones, and Kate McKinnon for the film. Wiig and McCarthy starred in “Bridesmaids,” while Jones and McKinnon are currently cast members on “Saturday Night Live.”
The Hollywood Reporter posted a story that McCarthy had come on board for the project and that Wiig, Jones, and McKinnon were in negotiations but were “expected to sign on,” wrote HR reporter Borys Kit.
And soon after that, Feig tweeted a picture of the four actresses.
McCarthy also starred in Feig’s film “The Heat” and on the TV series “Mike and Molly.” She has also appeared in such movies as “St. Vincent,” “Tammy,” and “Identity Thief.” Wiig was also a cast member on “SNL” and recently appeared in such films as “The Skeleton Twins” and “How to Train Your Dragon 2.” Meanwhile, Jones appears in the recent film “Top Five” as well as having appeared on such TV shows as “Workaholics” and “The League,” while McKinnon appeared in the movie “Life Partners” and the TV show “The Awesomes."
The new “Ghostbusters” film will be based on the 1984 comedy classic, which starred actors Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, and Ernie Hudson as members of a ghost-hunting business. The original film was followed by a 1989 sequel.
Murray already gave his blessing to part of the new cast when he was asked about the possibility of a female “Ghostbusters” reboot last year. The actor began giving suggestions.
“Melissa [McCarthy] would be a spectacular Ghostbuster,” Murray told the Toronto Star. “And Kristen Wiig is so funny – God, she’s funny!"
The new “Ghostbusters” film has also secured a release date – it will come out in July 2016, according to Feig.