"Ghostbusters" stars (l-r) Leslie Jones, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon and Kristen Wiig listen to ghost stories in a scene of the upcoming film. (Photo : YouTube / Movieclips Trailers)
The female-centered sequel to the 1984 blockbuster, "Ghostbusters" is expected to earn $40 to $50 million in the United States in its July 15 release. The Paul Feig $154 million film is among the most debated and anticipated movies this summer.
"Ghostbusters" popped up on tracking on July 23, Thursday, with estimates of $40 to $50 million North American opening weekend, July 15 to 17. The upcoming movie ignited a social media storm due to its all-female lead cast - Melissa McCarthy ("Gilmore Girls"), Leslie Jones ("Saturday Night Live"), Kate McKinnon ("The Big Gay Switch Show") and Kristen Wiig ("Saturday Night Live").
The original film had Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, Ernie Hudson and Dan Aykroyd as supernatural investigators. Tom Rothman, movie studio chief at Sony views the controversy of the upcoming ghost fighter movie as a great thing.
"Are you kidding me? We're in the national debate, thank you," Rothman told Hollywood Reporter." He added, "Can we please get some more haters to say stupid things?"
Even the film's new soundtrack, "Ghostbusters (I'm Not Afraid)" by Fall Out Boy and Missy Elliot brings yearning to the original song by Ray Parker Jr., according to CNET. The song tries to bring a fresh tune while paying tribute to the original sound.
Women who are more than 25 years old are likely the most interested to see "Ghostbusters" 2016, as seen by those who have access to prerelease tracking. Sony studio still has three weeks to draw the interest among males and younger women.
In Hollywood, Feig has a record of making films that are female-centered, such as "Bridesmaids." His upcoming ghost film is his most ambitious movie in budget and scope.
The director's biggest domestic box office opening so far is the 2013 comedy "The Heat," which has Sandra Bullock and McCarthy. It hit $39.1 million in the opening and grossed $159.6 million and $230 million locally and globally.
Feig's R-rated film about bridesmaids debuted $26.2 million locally, with a gross of $169.1 million and $288.4 million in North America and worldwide. Wiig and McCarthy stars in the 2011 film. McCarthy is also part of Feig's "Spy" which hit $29.1 million in the summer of 2015 and is about to hit a $235.7 million global earning.
Watch the trailer 2 of Feig's upcoming movie below.
