The Dark Side Unleashed: Leslie Jones Bares the Harrowing Backlash Faced by 2016 Ghostbusters

Summary

Leslie Jones faced horrific backlash and online vitriol after starring in the 2016 Ghostbusters reboot, including death threats and racist abuse.

Jones' experience of abuse underscores the toxic nature of online fandoms, which goes beyond just Ghostbusters and affects other popular franchises such as Star Wars and Lord of the Rings.

The problem of online harassment directed towards actors and creators of cherished properties continues to persist, with a solution to address this toxic behavior still elusive.

Comedian and actor Leslie Jones reflects on the intense backlash she endured for her part in the 2016 movie "Ghostbusters: Answer the Call." Directed by Paul Feig, the film received significant controversy even before its release, as critics on social media attacked its concept and the decision to have an all-female cast. Jones, along with Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, and Kate McKinnon, joined forces as a new team of paranormal investigators. Unfortunately, Jones faced excessive online hatred and even received death threats, which resulted in her temporary departure from Twitter shortly after the movie's premiere. In her new memoir "Leslie F*cking Jones: A Memoir," Jones reflects on the profound impact of the backlash, highlighting how she, as the only cast member of color, faced the harshest treatment. Here is an excerpt from her book.

The night of July 18 was incredibly terrible. I vividly recall shedding tears and reflecting on how shocking it was. How can a group of people come together to bully someone? It's not like I had committed a crime or anything - I was being targeted simply for my role in a movie. (It's unimaginable that I have to vocalize this.)

The audacity of these individuals astonishes me. My tears were not a result of being bullied, but rather a reaction to the realization that this is the world we live in. I can't fathom the idea that anyone would subject someone, anyone, to such cruelty for doing their job. It's truly horrifying. I mean, seriously, receiving death threats over something as minor as this? It shattered the illusions I had about the world. However, all of this turmoil wasn't about me.

However, later that same evening, Kate McKinnon paid a visit, and we shared a glass of wine while I carried on with my activities.

Out of all the women involved in Paul's movie remake, I was the unfortunate one to experience relentless mistreatment. It makes me wonder... Oh wait, I remember now. It was because I am a Black woman. I received disturbing videos depicting acts of hanging and explicit content where white individuals degraded me, accompanied by disturbing messages such as "You fucking n****r. We are going to end your life." It baffles me why people can be so cruel towards one another. How can someone find satisfaction in typing out the words "I want to kill you"? Who possesses such a twisted mindset?

How Ghostbusters: Answer The Call Shone A Light On Toxic Online Fandoms

The original Ghostbusters film from 1984 is widely regarded as one of the most iconic films of the 20th century. Therefore, any attempt to reimagine the franchise was bound to face resistance. However, the 2016 film Ghostbusters: Answer the Call not only fell short of many viewers' expectations but also led to actress Jones being subjected to horrendous online abuse. This abuse was not limited to mere criticisms of the film's artistic merits but included despicable behavior. Jones became a target for the vile and reprehensible sentiments expressed by anonymous individuals hiding behind the protection of online anonymity.

Unfortunately, this type of online toxicity was not limited to the 2016 Ghostbusters reboot. Prior to the release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens in 2015, actor John Boyega, who played the character Finn, experienced racist attacks. Moreover, Kelly Marie Tran, a star in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, was forced to leave social media due to ongoing harassment by toxic fans. More recently, similar stories have emerged from the cast of Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power and Obi-Wan Kenobi, indicating that this issue continues to be a significant concern.

Social media has made actors and creators of popular culture more accessible to fans. However, this accessibility also exposes them to intolerant and bigoted digital comments. The release of Ghostbusters: Answer the Call in 2016 highlighted this problem, but a solution is still far off.