Ghostbusters director Paul Feig responds to criticism: 'Geek culture is home to some of the biggest assholes I've ever met in my life'

'I don’t care what shape or size or color or anything they are. I live or die on what things are funny and whether or not people will be entertained by them.'

Clarisse Loughrey
Friday 06 May 2016 08:54 BST
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Paul Feig has had more than enough of the internet's foolishness already.

You see, there are two types of reaction to the Ghostbusters trailer: the logical, thoughtful responses of those who were either thrilled by, or disappointed, by what was presented. People who understand, too, that this isn't exactly a complete representation of the film's finished tone or content. And then there are the frothing, pitchfork-wielding mob; who had essentially decided the moment its all-female cast was announced that this was a travesty upon earth.

You know, the section of the internet that actively campaigned and boasted about creating multiple accounts just so they could push the trailer to become the most disliked on YouTube; because that's what passes for a hobby these days.

Though the latter group is merely a persistently vocal minority, the general all-consuming nature of the internet has served Ghostbusters with a troubled journey to screen; with director Paul Feig certainly feeling the weight of its attacks. "Geek culture is home to some of the biggest assholes I’ve ever met in my life," Feig told the New York Daily News. "Especially after being attacked by them for months because of this Ghostbusters project."


Feig also spoke about the effect it's had on the film's cast, Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones; "I don’t care what shape or size or color or anything they are, I live or die on what things are funny and whether or not people will be entertained by them." He added McCarthy, "is just this hilarious woman who is so funny. I don’t care what she looks like. As long as she’s funny and is a professional. She’s hilarious."

And, really, that should be the only thing Ghostbusters lives or dies by when it's actually released; hitting UK cinemas 15 July.

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