Original ‘Ghostbusters’ Star Thinks Female-Led Reboot is a Bad Idea
Most of us have felt that a 'Ghostbusters' sequel/reboot is a bad idea for a long time. In fact, so many people have thought it's a bad idea that Sony Pictures had a hard time finding anyone to even work on it (Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg turned the project down multiple times). But, when it was announced that Paul Feig would be directing a female-led 'Ghostbusters' movie, we had to at least respect that they were trying something different instead of just another tired sequel. Unfortunately not everyone feels that way, including original Ghostbuster Ernie Hudson.
In fact, Hudson feels probably the exact opposite of everyone else. Whereas he was excited to strap back on the proton pack for a sequel, he now finds himself out of a job as an entirely new cast of women will replace him, Dan Aykroyd and Bill Murray. Hudson told the Telegraph UK:
I heard it was going to be a total reboot, and that it would have nothing to do with the other two movies. If it has nothing to do with the other two movies, and it’s all female, then why are you calling it Ghostbusters? I love females. I hope that if they go that way at least they’ll be funny, and if they’re not funny at least hopefully it’ll be sexy. I love the idea of including women, I think that’s great. But all-female I think would be a bad idea. I don’t think the fans want to see that.
Not a good look, Winston.
If Hudson wants to be upset that they're wholesale rebooting 'Ghostbusters' and not inviting him back, that's his prerogative and we don't begrudge him that. But, he seems to have a particular bugaboo about the fact that he's been replaced by *gasp* a woman. Hopefully it's be sexy? This sounds like Ron Burgundy and Brian Fantana getting upset that there's a lady in the newsroom.
Hudson didn't give any reason for why exactly he thinks an all-female 'Ghostbusters' movie would be a bad idea, other than "the fans [don't] want to see that," but his whole quote has sexist undertones (overtones?). In fact, Feig addressed some of these concerns in his interview with Entertainment Weekly saying, "When people accuse it of being a gimmick I go, why is a movie starring women considered a gimmick and a movie starring men is just a normal movie?"
We're sorry you weren't invited back Ernie, but it's maybe time to hang up the old beige jumpsuit and let someone else have shot.