The Untold Story behind 2016's Ghostbusters: Star Spills Why It Fell Short

Summary

Leslie Jones believes that Ghostbusters: Answer the Call could have been a better film, as it had some great moments that were cut due to budget constraints.

Jones is disappointed that the scenes featuring her alongside Kate McKinnon, Melissa McCarthy, and Kristen Wiig were removed from the film. These scenes were crucial in illustrating their bond as friends.

In Jones' perspective, the decision to exclude these scenes raises concerns about the production's ability to finance the required special effects. This brings into question the reasoning behind creating a Ghostbusters movie if the budget does not allow for necessary visual effects.

According to Leslie Jones, Ghostbusters: Answer the Call had the potential to be a better film. Jones, who starred alongside Kate McKinnon, Kristen Wiig, and Melissa McCarthy in the all-female reboot of the 1984 classic Ghostbusters, shared her thoughts in an excerpt from her memoir published by Rolling Stone. She mentioned that there were "some great moments" between her and McKinnon, as well as between Wiig and McCarthy, that unfortunately didn't make it into the final cut. These scenes, including a comedic dance sequence, were left out due to budget constraints.

That movie should have been a phenomenal film, which is why it is especially disappointing that it turned out to be one of the worst. The talented crew put in so much effort to create a movie that deserved to be seen by all of you. Unfortunately, due to budget constraints, a significant amount of content had to be cut.

However, what nobody realizes is that there were some truly amazing moments between me and Kate [McKinnon] that never made it to the final version. Additionally, there were important scenes featuring Melissa [McCarthy] and Kristen [Wiig] that were also left on the cutting room floor. These moments were crucial in establishing the depth of their friendship within the movie. If the film had been released as we originally filmed it, I firmly believe that things would have turned out differently.

During the shooting, Paul Feig, our director, was amazing. We were constantly improvising and exploring new ideas. One scene in particular, choreographed by the late Michael Williams, stands out in my mind. It involved Chris Hemsworth being possessed and taking control of the entire army, resulting in a hilariously strange "Thriller" inspired dance sequence. Chris stood on top of a movie theater, showcasing his moves, while Michael commanded the attention of all the FBI agents and soldiers on the ground. It was an absolute blast. On the day of filming that scene, we were so exhilarated because we knew that once people saw it, they would be blown away.

Nope — it got eliminated. The explanation provided was that the required special effects were deemed too costly, or some nonsense. But if this film lacks the resources to afford special effects, then what on earth is the purpose of creating a Ghostbusters movie in the first place? Furthermore, there was a fight scene I filmed that likewise got removed.

The Controversy Behind 2016’s Ghostbusters

Jones has recently been expressing her grievances, including this particular lamentation. In addition, she has openly addressed the underlying racism behind the reactions towards Ghostbusters. While her fellow actors encountered more moderate responses, Jones endured what she referred to as "repeated bullying due to a movie." Based on her latest statement, it is evident that Jones firmly believes that the aforementioned film had the potential to be improved, subsequently altering the public's perception of it.

Jones' experience following Ghostbusters was extremely difficult, but the film as a whole did not fare well. Director Paul Feig tried to give the film a fresh approach by casting women in the lead roles, but this decision was met with resistance by many viewers. They accused the casting of being a mere gimmick and believed it diluted the greatness of the original film. To rectify this, Jason Reitman, son of the original film's director Ivan Reitman, decided to make Ghostbusters: Afterlife, where some of the original stars joined a new cast.

However, Reitman's film also became a source of conflict for Jones. The director made comments about the 2016 Ghostbusters film that caused problems. Reitman claimed that he was trying to "give the movie back to the fans," but this statement was problematic due to the misogynistic undertones exhibited by some fans. Considering everything that Jones has endured because of Ghostbusters, the absence of the film that "should have been" feels even more heartbreaking. This will only intensify when the Ghostbusters: Afterlife sequel is released.

Source: Rolling Stone