The first trailer for the upcoming Ghostbusters remake dropped to a mix of emotions last week. While some fans were excited, many criticized the clip for its depiction of Leslie Jones' character, slamming the role as racist.
In the movie, Jones plays an MTA worker, while her white co-stars — Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, and Kate McKinnon — play scientists, a discrepancy with which some viewers took issue. Others accused Jones' character of perpetuating the stereotype of the sassy black woman.
Ugh. For real. The one black character in Ghostbusters is the only one without advanced degrees, the one who "knows N.Y." What year is it?
I guess they're keeping Leslie Jones as the sassy BW trope.
Jones spoke out in defense of her role last week.
Regular People save the world everyday so if I'm the sterotype!! Then so be it!! We walk among Heroes and take them for granted.
Why can't a regular person be a ghostbuster. Im confused. And why can't i be the one who plays them i am a performer. Just go see the movie!
Yesterday, the film's director Paul Feig came to Jones' defense after she threatened to quit Twitter amid the backlash.
Don't leave us, @Lesdoggg. You are a goddess & one of the warmest funniest forces of nature I know. Fuck the haters. https://t.co/rwh8CIxCk4
And haters, attack me all you want but when you attack and insult my cast, you've crossed the line. Grow up and leave my cast alone.
Today, the international trailer for Ghostbusters arrived and it includes a brief scene that seemingly nods to the recent controversy: Jones' character screams, "OK, I don’t know if it was a race thing or a lady thing, but I’m mad as hell."
Ghostbusters heads to theaters on July 15.