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Women and gender
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Backlash against all-woman Ghostbusters shows world’s enduring sexism

Reboot of the 1984 classic has been hammered by fans for no reason other than its female cast, something which may convince Hollywood to stick with its male-dominant structure

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From left: Leslie Jones, Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig and Kate McKinnon as the new Ghostbusters team.
Agence France-Presse

An all-female reboot of Ghostbusters hits cinemas this month amid a savage backlash by internet trolls that has thrown the spotlight back onto Hollywood’s sex discrimination problem.

The film’s first trailer has become the most reviled in YouTube history, having amassed almost 900,000 dislikes, while director Paul Feig and his cast have been bombarded with death threats and misogyny on social media.

“This garbage was made to make Feminazis happy,” one Twitter user complained in a broadside typical of the firestorm of abuse.

Feig, who has made his name directing female stars in hits such as Bridesmaids, was responsible for bringing on board Kate McKinnon, Melissa McCarthy, Leslie Jones and Kristen Wiig for the new version of the 32-year-old all-male original movie.

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“I’ve been hit with some of the worst misogynistic stuff you’ve ever seen in your life over the last two years,” he told a recent producers’ conference at Sony Pictures headquarters in southern California.

“The onslaught that came in was just so chilling.”

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The “Woman and Hollywood” blog noted a similar reaction after the producers of Star Wars cast female leads – in the latest instalment and the upcoming Rogue One – after six consecutive male-led films.
Felicity Jones as Jyn Erso in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
Felicity Jones as Jyn Erso in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
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