“Ghostbusters” director Paul Feig has rushed to stick up for the film’s star, Leslie Jones, after she considered quitting Twitter over criticism of her character in the upcoming comedy.
“Don’t leave us, @Lesdoggg,” Feig tweeted Tuesday. “You are a goddess & one of the warmest funniest forces of nature I know. F-ck the haters.”
Shortly after the first trailer for the “Ghostbusters” remake debuted, some observers were quick to describe Jones’ character as “problematic,” given that she’s the only one in the group without a scientific background. Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy and Kate McKinnon all play researchers, while Jones’ character seems to boast a solidly a blue-collar background.
In recent hours, many others have attacked the cast for “ruining a great movie” and Jones in particular regarding her character.
Given the backlash, Jones took to Twitter on Tuesday to announce her departure from the social media platform: “I think today will be the day I get rid of Twitter. Gonna really be thinking on it. Not sure I want to need it anymore. Know what I mean?”
“And haters, attack me all you want but when you attack and insult my cast, you’ve crossed the line,” Feig added. “Grow up and leave my cast alone.”
“Ghostbusters” hits theaters on July 15.
See the tweets below.
I think today will be the day I get rid of Twitter. Gonna really be thinking on it. Not sure I want to need it anymore. Know what I mean?
— Leslie Jones ? (@Lesdoggg) March 8, 2016
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
— Paul Feig (@paulfeig) March 8, 2016
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.
— Paul Feig (@paulfeig) March 8, 2016
No, they're attacking my cast personally. Look at @Lesdoggg mentions. They're going after her and @melissamccarthy. https://t.co/xhq0iXwmPx
— Paul Feig (@paulfeig) March 8, 2016