Paul Feig: I had to cast the liveliest lot of actors for 'Ghostbusters'

Filmmaker Paul Feig talks about the supernatural at the Asia promotions of 'Ghostbusters' reboot; reveals his wife is a Bollywood buff

Paul Feig and Melissa McCarthy at the red carpet event in Singapore. Pic/Getty Images

Over three decades after 'Ghostbusters' made a spook-tacular impact on the big screen, the classic Hollywood horror-comedy is rebooted for a new generation. Filmmaker Paul Feig revisits Ivan Reitman's 1984 flick (which had a sequel in 1989) to scare and crack up the audience. Feig and Melissa McCarthy, who headlines the cast, are in Singapore to attend a series of events as part of the Asia promotions of the film slated to release next month.

Paul Feig and Melissa McCarthy at the red carpet event in Singapore. Pic/Getty Images

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The late evening downpour was no dampener as Feig and McCarthy walked a rain-soaked red carpet at the Marina Bay, and seemed to be in their element. Inclement weather could hardly dispirit a ghost; gutsy winds and lashing rain only added to the spooky effect. The duo hobnobbed with the locals who were dressed up as ghosts in a bid to break into the Guinness World Records for the largest gathering of ghosts at a single venue. With 263 ghosts in attendance, a new record was set in the presence of a Guinness official. It's the first time that Feig and McCarthy have travelled to this part of the globe to promote their flick and visit media from several Asian countries. Despite a long-haul flight from the US, McCarthy appeared excited to savour the sights and smells of Singapore.

Feig and McCarthy's last project together, 'Spy' (2015) had a Bollywood connect — Nargis Fakhri, who featured in the thriller. "Nargis is fun to be with and a lovely girl," said Feig, adding, "My wife (Laurie) is a Bollywood buff. She may not understand, but likes to see the films. Nodded McCarthy, "Yes, she is watching Bollywood movies all the time."
Besides McCarthy, the cast of 'Ghostbusters' includes Leslie Jones, Kate McKinnon, Kristen Wiig and Chris Hemsworth. "'Ghostbusters' is a fun film, so I had to cast the liveliest lot of actors and who are fun to work with too," said Feig. Does the supernatural scare him? "I am not afraid of ghosts because we were up to our armpits in them at the event. I can only tell the ghostbusters of the world: you better gear up," he signed off.

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