In an interview on The Johnjay & Rich Show, Ghostbusters star Melissa McCarthy has confirmed what fans have been speculating for the last few months. The Paul Feig-directed film is indeed not a sequel or a remake but actually a reboot of the entire franchise. In the interview, she admits the trailers have caused much confusion, insisting they’ve referenced events that haven’t taken place in the new film.
“It’s a great story but told totally differently. It’s the same thing of four unlikely heroes, it’s in New York city, ghosts are taking over. It’s the same classic story, but it’s not a ’30 years later’… It’s weird, [because] in this movie it’s like the first one didn’t happen.”
This seems to confirm the female-led film is, in fact, a total reboot, as McCarthy affirms it holds no relation to the first films in the franchise.
“The trailer said ’30 years later, which I didn’t quite get myself, it’s not dependent on the first one. I told them, ‘I think it’s very confusing’, but they told me they didn’t care what I thought.”
The 2016 sequel/reboot/remake/spin-off of Ghostbusters has been met with much criticism and backlash. Responses have led to it officially being dubbed YouTube’s most disliked movie trailer, mainly due to fan apprehension and fear of ruining a franchise widely praised and adored by people around the world.
Below is the synopsis (which includes the ’30 years’ description):
“Ghostbusters makes its long-awaited return, rebooted with a cast of hilarious new characters. Thirty years after the beloved original franchise took the world by storm, director Paul Feig brings his fresh take to the supernatural comedy, joined by some of the funniest actors working today – Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones, and Chris Hemsworth. This summer, they’re here to save the world!”
Ghostbusters will premiere in theatres on July 15 – will you be watching?