Ghostbusters 3

After months of rumors and speculation, it looks like director Paul Feig is finally starting to assemble his cast for his ‘Ghostbusters’ reboot. The name at the top of his list should surprise no one: Melissa McCarthy, who he previously directed to an Oscar nomination and huge box office success in ‘Bridesmaids’ and ‘The Heat,' and who is in early talks to star in the film.

Let’s go back. Back in time before Paul Feig swooped in to direct an all-female ‘Ghostbusters’ reboot which we’re actually excited about. Back in time to when the long-gestating ‘Ghostbusters 3’ was still a possibility, a sequel that most people didn’t really want. Back here in the land that time forgot, original ‘Ghostbusters’ director and producer Ivan Reitman was planning to helm the long-delayed third installment in the franchise, and according to some recently uncovered e-mails from Sony, we now know what that sequel would have been called—and who might have starred in it.

It’s safe to assume that we’re going to start hearing that just about every talented woman has met or talked with Paul Feig in the coming months, as the director begins casting his all-female ‘Ghostbusters’ reboot. This week, Rebel Wilson said that she met with Feig about a possible role in the film, and now Jennifer Lawrence admits that she also met with Feig recently. As an added bonus, Lawrence had no idea that ‘Ghostbusters 2’ was a real thing.

We’ve gone from actively dreading and turning our nose up at a new ‘Ghostbusters’ movie to rejoicing and high-fiving a million angels now that Paul Feig is at the helm, turning a long-gestating sequel into an all-female reboot for the franchise. Feig is also responsible for introducing us to the charming and hilarious Rebel Wilson, who first entered our pop culture consciousness in Feig’s ‘Bridesmaids.’ Wilson’s name is one that’s been tossed around as an obvious choice for the ‘Ghostbusters’ reboot, so it’s not surprising to learn that the actress has already met with Feig about the possibility.

At this point, any new 'Ghostbusters' movie has been fancasted within an inch of its life. Any actor working today under the age of 40? They've been considered for the 'Ghostbusters' movie. Shoot, there's a chance you were considered to star in the 'Ghostbusters' movie. So, there's no point in going over yet another list of who should star in 'Ghostbusters 3' or whatever it is they're calling it these days. Unless, of course, the person who made that list is Bill Murray. In that case, *in rapt*.

With a female-led 'Ghostbusters' reboot in the works and the recent announcement that Marvel has turned Thor into a woman, it seems that taking male characters and gender-swapping them could become the latest trend. While it's great to show audiences that it shouldn't matter if their heroes are male or female, it would also be great to see more women taking the lead in their own franchises or original properties. But maybe gender-swapping is the gateway drug; maybe this is the way to train audiences to accept women in leading cinematic roles.

Over the weekend it was announced that Paul Feig is in negotiations to direct an all-female version of ‘Ghostbusters 3,’ which is the first bit of news to get us seriously interested since Phil Lord and Chris Miller’s names were briefly attached earlier this year. Feig, who also brought us ‘Bridesmaids’ and ‘The Heat,’ has given us some hilarious and truly great female-driven films. By making the new ‘Ghostbusters’ women, this project has so much more potential because there are so many insanely funny and talented women out there. We couldn’t help but put together a list of who we think should star in an all-female ‘Ghostbusters 3.’

Like some kind of restless spirit, 'Ghostbusters 3' refuses to die. Despite countless massive setbacks that would have completely derailed a film with less name recognition, the film keeps on lumbering forward, surviving countless abandoned screenplays. However, big news has arrived today, as Sony is reportedly eyeing director Paul Feig to take over the project, but will the film end up being a reboot instead of a sequel?

Everyone loves Phil Lord and Chris Miller. The writing-directing team behind 'The LEGO Movie' and this Friday's '22 Jump Street' have directed movies both critically beloved and commercially successful (the former is the highest-rated movie of the year on Rotten Tomatoes and the second-biggest movie of the year in terms of the box office). It's easy to understand why: like their films, these guys are smart, funny and lacking in any kind of cynicism.

When it was announced that Ivan Reitman was stepping down as the 'Ghostbusters 3' director, many fans (including us) immediately thought of Phil Lord and Chris Miller ('The LEGO Movie') as the ideal replacements. Sure enough, an offer went out to the directing duo almost immediately, but just as quickly as they were offered, they passed on the project...