Consider These Women for the 'Ghostbusters' Reboot

The internet was buzzing last night about the rumors that Paul Feig is being courted to direct an all-female Ghostbusters reboot.  Feig is two-for-two when it comes to delivering female-driven comedies (Bridesmaids, The Heat), so he's a natural choice to direct this.  I am just waiting for all the stupid bros to start bitching about the idea, but in the mean time let's have some fun assembling a dream team!

I initially made a list of about 35 names, and it covered a wide range of ages.  It ultimate got too big, so I cut it down.  Some of these names might seem a bit weird, but just hear me out!

Ari Graynor is my number one choice to star in this movie.  She doesn't get enough starring roles, and she is the perfect combination of funny and charm.  If you liked For a Good Time Call... you've already fallen in love with her.  

Leslie Mann is no stranger to high-profile comedies.  She can hold her own against anyone, and I definitely need to see her in something else to watch the horrible taste of The Other Woman out of my mouth.  

 

Let's face it.  One might think Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus probably don't need to be on this list, but people still think women can't open a movie.  Sure, they will probably consider Emma Stone and Jennifer Lawrence for this project, but these three ladies are comedic royalty.  And people WILL see it with them as the leads.  

I didn't even know who Jillian Bell was until I saw 22 Jump Street this summer.  If you did see the cop comedy sequel this summer you know that Bell steals every scene she's in.  She was nominated for writing for Saturday Night Live in 2010.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, we have Lupita Nyong'o.  She won an Oscar this year for 12 Years a Slave, but she's so new to the industry that we don't her range yet.  Maybe she's not only poised, articulate, beautiful, and a Yale graduate.  Lupita might be funny as well--we don't know yet.  

Are you going to argue with me that Emma Thompson would be an inspired choice?  She's fiercely intelligent and one of the best actresses out there.  Period.  Did you see her let loose on the awards circuit this year?

I rest my case.  

Uzo Aduba's career is so hot right now (hello, Orange is the New Black), so she'd be a great addition for Ghostbusters III.  Orange is almost all women, so Aduba would fit right in.  Have you heard her sing?  Not sure how that would fit into a ghostbusting comedy, but it just shows how effing talented she is.  

Bring it on, haters!  Lena Dunham is one of the busiest female comedy writers out there, so she should be in the conversation.  It would be really cool to see her in a starring role in something she didn't pen herself (not that I don't like her writing on Girls).  

Emily Blunt hasn't headlined a straight up comedy before (does The Five Year Engagement count?), but she's an incredibly versatile actress.  I feel like she's been taken for granted, and she hasn't really had the opportunity to shine lately (fingers crossed for Into the Woods).  She would make a great straight woman-Egon type in the movie.  And who could forget how sharp she was in The Devil Wears Prada?  

Everything is better with Mindy Kaling.  I don't really have an argument other than she's funny as hell and I just love love love her.  

To me, Amy Adams can do anything.  If you've seen her in The Muppets and Enchanted, you definitely need to check her out as a trashy, boyfriend-crazy beauty queen in Drop Dead Gorgeous.  She can take a break from getting nominated for Oscars to do a big comedy.  

PUT JUDY GREER IN A LEADING ROLE IN A MOVIE!!!  How hard is that?!  She's the epitome of the best friend in lots of romantic comedies, but Greer has real comedic chops (she even has a memoir about playing second banana titled I Don't Know What You Know Me From: Confessions of a Co-Star).  People might argue that maybe she's better at playing a smaller role, but I've always wanted more of her.  

Allison Janney is as solid as a performer as they come.  She's done everything.  Not only can she win Emmys for The West Wing, but she always pops up as a colorful character in an indie movie somewhere.  You might go to your local movie theater to something, and there she is.  Every time she comes on screen, though, she's a delight.  

One might think that I don't need to include Melissa McCarthy, but I kind of do.  She was in both of Feig's big screen efforts (ahem...Oscar nomination...), but people still feel the need to question her clout.  McCarthy is likable and beautiful and, most importantly, she's hilarious.  She's probably one of the most bankable stars right now.  People looooove her.  And rightfully so.