The next time someone calls the Ghostbusters, Chris Hemsworth will be on the other line answering. Director Paul Feig and Sony have revealed that Hemsworth has been cast as "the receptionist" in their female-driven Ghostbusters reboot.
Although I enjoy Hemsworth, and am open to the idea of an all-female Ghostbusters team, the decision to cast him as what seems to be nothing more than buff male eye-candy feels more like the studio is trying to play up a cheap joke. Playing on the reverse trope just seems like a cheap attempt at getting laughs.
Our receptionist. #whoyougonnacall pic.twitter.com/wGTzs8KdUs
— Paul Feig (@paulfeig) June 10, 2015
Don't get me wrong, I'm sure Hemsworth will be funny in the role, but what made Annie Potts such a great Janine Melnitz wasn't that she was a female in an all-male Ghostbusters team. It wasn't like she was overly sexualized as your typical "secretary." Potts' sarcastic, witty delivery of lines and her not putting up with the Ghostbusters' sh*t is what made her such a great character.
And that's the keyword here, character. The original Ghostbusters may have been all men, but their lines, delivery, and interactions with each other is what made them great. It wasn't over-the-top, in-your-face joke delivery, like I imagine — based on this casting decision — is what this new reboot will be.
I'm trying my best to reserve judgement until I at least see a trailer, but so far it seems Feig is playing up to every tacky comedy stereotype.
For all of you upset at the thought of a female-driven Ghostbusters cast, don't worry, because Sony is also planning a male-driven Ghostbusters which I'm sure will be equally bad.
