Bustin’ makes him feel good.
Sony Pictures
The Ghostbusters reboot may be the most trolled movie in history and it hasn’t even premiered yet. It’s director has even reportedly received death threats on Twitter from people who are taking his re-imagined story of a team of New Yorkers that, yes, capture ghosts for a living, very seriously.
Its trailer was infamously branded “the most disliked trailer in history,” and even co-star Melissa McCarthy admitted she isn’t a big fan of it. And who knows? Maybe the movie will be as terrible as its initial marketing campaign suggests. That would be unfortunate, as we’re living in a golden age of sorts for female driven comedies and action films that resonate with mainstream audiences—one of which director Paul Feig has been a major player.
So, it’s understandable that Feig is a little tired of all the shit he’s taking from the delerious fan boy underbelly of social media. The A.V. Club has broken it all down, noting that the hatred for Feig’s, again, still unreleased movie is a war without a country. No one is taking responsibility for the social media bloodbath even as disdain for the rebooted franchise has practically become mandatory in the national pop culture conversation. Or, as Feig bluntly told the New York Daily News, “Geek culture is home to some of the biggest assholes I’ve ever met in my life,” he said. Especially after being attacked by them for months because of this 'Ghostbusters' project.”
All of that could change when the film finally hits theaters on July 16. At that point, audiences will judge for themselves if the director of Bridesmaids, Spy and several other female driven comedies has delivered on the hopes and promises of millions of fans. If the film turns out to be a critical and commercial success, Feig and his talented cast of (mostly) women will be celebrated and we’ll all raise a toast to the long and slow march toward parity on the silver screen. But what about those nameless trolls? Is there any accountability for those who throw rocks from the dark corners of the Internet? Probably not. But back in an earlier interview, Feig already gave the perfect response to those feeling threatened by his particular approach to comedy.
“The biggest thing I’ve heard for the last four months is, ‘Thanks for ruining my childhood,’ he told the A.V. Club. “It’s going to be on my tombstone when I die. It’s so dramatic. Honestly, the only way I could ruin your childhood is if I got into a time machine and went back and made you an orphan.”
Now, that sounds like a movie I’d pay to see.
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