Anyone closely following the evolution ofGhostbusters 3knows that it will now be a reboot following a team of female spirit hunters who live in a world where the original Ghostbusters never existed. They will also know thatMelissa McCarthyhas long been expected to take on one of the roles in this complete reinvention of the franchise from directorPaul Feig. Today,THRconfirms that the comedian is in early talks for the lead.
The deal isn’t done just yet, as there are quite a few scheduling issues that need to be worked out beforeMelissa McCarthycan reteam with herBridesmaids,The HeatandSpydirector for their fourth film together. The actress has a very complicated schedule due to her CBS TV sitcomMike & Molly, which many may be surprised to learn is still on the air. That is added to the fact that she also has a number of other movies already lined up. This includes the comedyMichelle Darnellwhich will reteam her with real-life husband and director of this past summer’sTammy,Ben Falcone.
Sources say thatMelissa McCarthyis aiming to shootMichelle Darnellin mid-March, so that she can directly jump into Ghostbusters sometime in June. Though, there is a chance this schedule will not work out. At this time, a variety of creative meetings will need to take place when and ifMelissa McCarthydecides she can sign on, which could cause a whole other problem.
It was previously reported during the Sony Hack leaks thatJennifer LawrenceandEmma Stonewere wanted as the two leads of the Ghostbusters reboot, and that both actresses were game to sign on. Though nothing had been made official.Rebel Wilsonalso recently revealed that she has met with producer and director of the original,Ivan Reitman, about the project. It has also been rumored thatRyan Goslingwanted to take on the only main male role in the movie. While sources confirm thatEmma Stoneis available for the project in June,Melissa McCarthywill serve as the lead, or ‘lynchpin’, and it all depends on her availability at this point.
Right now, no official offer has been made toMelissa McCarthy. But Sony has acknowledged that discussions are strong. The studio is also compiling a list of backup names in case the comedian cannot work out her schedule. Who do you want to see headline this new version of Ghostbusters?
