Despite previous trepidation regarding a potential Ghostbusters reboot/sequel, it would appear as though myself and other fans across the globe are going to have to endure a new spin on the classic franchise. The recent news of Paul Feig (Bridesmaids) being drafted in to direct the new Ghostbusters movie has been met with a mixture of outrage and jubilation that the franchise will return.
Personally, I have sat on the side of the outraged, feeling the need for further Ghostbusters films ended in about 1991, around two years after the release of Ghostbusters II. With the original cast and director out, my reaction to the news confirming a full reboot was somewhat like this:
But here we are with the film set to become a reality, with an all female cast of “hilarious women” being lined up to star. Whilst Bridesmaids was a reasonably funny distraction, it’s Paul Feig’s work on The Office and Arrested Development, combined with the fantastic female talent available currently which provides a silver lining. Maybe, just maybe, this could not possibly be as bad of an idea as initially feared?
Assuming a cast of four leads will step into the large shoes of the original line up of Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis and Ernie Hudson, which four ladies would be perfect for the Ghostbusters line up? Here are my picks:
The New Ghostbusters:
1) Tina Fey
Hilarious, intelligent, and brilliant – a clear first choice. Sign her up!
2) Amy Poehler
It would rude to cast Tina Fey without bringing Amy Poehler along for the fun too. Parks and Recreation (possibly the best comedy on TV currently) ends soon, so maybe there’s some room in the schedule for Ms Poehler to bring her never-ending levels of joy and hilarity into the Ghostbusters universe?
3) Mindy Kaling
Brash, confident, funny – the new generation’s version of Bill Murray’s character Peter Venkman.
4) Alison Brie
Alison Brie’s career is going from strength to strength, and deservedly so. What better way to show non-Community viewers what they have been missing all this time than by lining her up in the Ghostbusters?
Other options:
There are plenty of fantastic actresses who would be great to see in the new Ghostbusters film, but in particular Ellie Kemper, Aubrey Plaza, Emma Stone and Rose Byrne would all be excellent substitutes for my top four picks. Perhaps we could see these four lining up in a second Ghostbusters team, with the two teams facing off with one another, a la Anchorman?
The Villain:
Gillian Anderson
The former X-Files star has been pushing for a role in the reboot, but why not cast her against type as the antagonist for the Ghostbusters? Instead of solving paranormal mysteries as she did in the beloved series The X-Files, we could see her leading the deceased into a duel against the Ghostbusters.
Who would you pick as your dream line up for the new Ghostbusters? Discuss away in the comments below!
Flicks and Pieces 
I’m very excited about this potential Ghostbusters reboot and I haven’t got any anxiety over any of the dream-teams people have rumored, so I’m going the throw some names into the hat:
+ Julia Louis-Dreyfus in the Peter Venkman role.
Julia’s role Veep showed that she could bring a new edge to Bill Murray’s cocksure approach in the original. She can add that ‘not-quite-as-good-as-she-thinks-she-is’ dynamic while updating the part. Murray can’t be topped if the role if approached as a carbon copy, but a confident, but a bit hapless, take by Juila might work well.
+ America Ferrera in the Raymond Stantz role.
I’ve only seen Ferrera (I’m calling her by her last name because it just sounds wrong by just saying ‘America’) in a few things, and only once in a comedy role – It’s A Disaster, but Ferrera’s showed a funny, but relatable non-irritating negative realist when things go to pot and this could work playing off Juila.
+ Tamsin Greig in the Egor role
This is a proper wild card as she doesn’t have much box office pull compared to other rumored actors. But I think an English actor playing the down-to-earth scientific brain would be good to see. Plus the added sarcasm with a touch of superiority would add a new flavor into the mix.
+ Aubrey Plaza in the Winston Zeddmore role
Aubrey has been the most consistent actor linked to the reboot, but not in this role. Winston’s character was small, but I think this would work to Aubrey’s advantage. Her humor can be blunt and a well timed put down, assessment and general misanthropy would be a flipped (and up-to-date) version of the original character’s vibe.
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Great picks, Julia Louis-Dreyfus would be unbelievably good! Tamsin Greig has been getting solid critical acclaim in the US for “Episodes”, it’s probably not beyond the realm of possibility, and she is consistently funny so I’d be up for her being cast. Aubrey Plaza is pretty much perfect for Ghostbusters, surely she’ll be suiting up! Ferrera is a bit of a curveball, I’ve not seen It’s A Disaster (though it’s on Netflix so totally getting on it), and mostly know her from Ugly Betty, so she’s an intriguing one! The other name that’s being bandied around is Melissa McCarthy, I think if only because she was in Bridesmaids and The Heat – I’m not really feeling it, have you seen Mike and Molly? Meh….
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I like Melissa McCarthy, but I think she’ll be to over powering. If she does get the the nod, it will have to be as the main Peter role (which I can’t see) or, most probably as, the Raymond role. But who with Paul Feig directing, I reckon he can make it work.
Plus, I haven’t read anything about Kristen Wiig being linked with the film. Not sure if she would suit any of the roles though…
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