It’s about as shocking as learning that Michael Bay sometimes likes to shoot explosions, but it’s still news: Melissa McCarthy is in early talks to star in Paul Feig’s female-focused reboot of **Ghostbusters{
McCarthy’s name has been linked to the project almost from the moment Feig was officially confirmed as co-writing and directing it, especially given her close working relationship with him on films such as Bridesmaids, The Heat and the upcoming action comedy Spy.
But though they clearly enjoy collaboration, McCarthy’s addition to the new Ghostbusters is by no means sealed in concrete, as she’s juggling a busy working schedule. On top of appearing in TV sitcom Mike & Molly, she’s gearing up to shoot Michelle Darnell, which she co-wrote with husband Ben Falcone and plans to have him direct, much as they did with the critically maligned Tammy.
Still, Sony is trying to figure out a deal so that she can make **Michelle Darnell **in March for Universal, and then segue into working on Ghostbusters in June. The new take on the spirit-hunting comedy would find female stars as new characters in a fresh story that doesn’t directly tie into the original or its sequel.
Alongside McCarthy, Feig – who is writing the script with The Heat’s Katie Dippold – is looking to lock down the likes of Emma Stone, 22 Jump Street’s Jillian Bell and SNL star Cecily Strong for roles, while it appears that rumours of Jennifer Lawrence and Rebel Wilson may stay just that for now. We’ll have to wait and see who actually straps on the proton packs. Spy, meanwhile, will slink into UK cinemas on June 5.