If you haven’t seen the trailer for ‘Ghostbusters’ yet, you can check it out here. For those that have seen it, as you know, the clip introduces our brand new cast which consists of Kristen Wiig as Dr. Erin Gilbert, an expert in quantum physics, Melissa McCarthy as Dr. Abby Yates, an expert in the paranormal and Kate McKinnon as nuclear physicist Dr. Jillian Holtzman as well as Leslie Jones as New York transit worker Patty Tolan. Hmmm, did you spot the difference there? Yes, while the three Caucasian actors are all scientists, Jones’ character Patty is a run-of-the-mill subway worker and some are crying foul over the perceived slight.
The character of Patty seems to, at least in some ways, mirror that of Ernie Hudson‘s character Winston Zedmore in the original two movies. The one African American in the group, he was also not a scientist or a founding member of the team. Hitfix editor Donna Dickens stated:
“I understand this is a reboot of ‘Ghostbusters’ from 1984 and the new characters mirror their male counterparts. But it’s been over 30 years and the dynamic of three white scientists and ‘street-wise’ minority is dated.”
But Jones is snapping back, defending her character. Via Twitter, Jones replied:
Why can’t a regular person be a ghostbuster. Im confused. And why can’t i be the one who plays them i am a performer. Just go see the movie!
— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) March 4, 2016
Regular People save the world everyday so if I’m the sterotype!! Then so be it!! We walk among Heroes and take them for granted.
— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) March 4, 2016
ITS NOT A MAN, WOMAN, RACE, CLASS THANG!! ITS A GHOSTBUSTER THANG!! AND AS FAR AS IM CONCERNED WE ALL GHOSTBUSTERS!! STAND TALL!! — Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) March 4, 2016
As for Hudson, he described how his character was altered right before filming commenced on the original movie:
“I look back on ‘Ghostbusters’ in a very fun way, but it’s got so many mixed feelings and emotions attached to it. When I originally got the script, the character of Winston was amazing and I thought it would be career-changing. The character came in right at the very beginning of the movie and had an elaborate background: he was an Air Force major something, a demolitions guy. It was great.
“The night before filming begins, however, I get this new script and it was shocking. The character was gone. Instead of coming in at the very beginning of the movie, like page eight, the character came in on page 68 after the Ghostbusters were established. His elaborate background was all gone, replaced by me walking in and saying, ‘If there’s a steady paycheck in it, I’ll believe anything you say.’ So that was pretty devastating.”
It’s true, the movie won’t be out for several months, so viewers don’t really know how the character of Patty will factor into the overall story.
Are people overreacting too early? Or is it somehow demeaning that Patty isn’t a scientist like the other three leads?
Jones added:
@IWriteILove if they made me a scientist you would be mad at what type of scientist. Seriously it’s a fucking movie get over yourself
— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) March 3, 2016
‘Ghostbusters’ directed by Paul Feig, starring Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones, Chris Hemsworth, Charles Dance and Michael Kenneth Williams will be busting into theaters on July 15, 2016.
Source: Entertainment Weekly
