When the new "Ghostbusters" movie was announced, there was dancing in the streets.
GIF from Ray Parker, Jr./"Ghostbusters."
But soon, a terrible realization began to dawn on diehard fans of the original: The new ghostbusters — who had previously been men — were going to be played by women.
GIF from "Ghostbusters."
And lo, the backlash began. Trailers were down-voted. Angry comments proliferated. Brave critics took to their keyboards, angrily denouncing a movie about shooting ghosts they hadn't seen yet.
GIF from "Saturday Night Live."
One person who wasn't here for the backlash? Original ghostbuster and noted man Bill Murray.
Seen here apparently throwing a T-shirt at George Clooney. Photo by Mario Laporta/Getty Images.
Murray appears in the new "Ghostbusters" movie, after — according to the actor — turning down numerous opportunities to make further installments in the original series.
Photo by Gage Skidmore/Flickr.
Which raises the question: Why this one?
GIF from "Ghostbusters."
"Because I knew these girls were funny," the actor said in an interview on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"
GIF from "Ghostbusters."
It goes without saying that Murray knows what funny is.
Murray on a yacht, presumably after dropping a mic. Photo by Pierre Teyssot/Getty Images.
The actor has appeared in some of the funniest movies ever made, which became the funniest movies ever made largely because he appeared in them.
And he has a point: The cast of "Ghostbusters" includes some of the funniest actors working today. They just happen to be women.
Including:
Melissa McCarthy
Photo by Red Carpet Report on Mingle Media TV/Flickr.
....last seen being the best part of movies like "Bridesmaids," "The Heat," and "Spy" (seriously, go see "Spy" if you haven't seen "Spy." Furthermore, go see "Spy.")
Leslie Jones
GIF from "Saturday Night Live."
...who spends every waking hour being hilarious in everything she does (witness her frequently epic "Weekend Update" appearances).
Kate McKinnon
...who has been a breakout star on "Saturday Night Live" and owns the best political impression since Tina Fey's Sarah Palin.
And Kristen Wiig
Photo by Eva Rinaldi/Flickr.
...who did this and this and this and this and need I say more? (Yes. She also did this.)
If you were casting a "Ghostbusters" movie in 2016, these are the people you would cast, regardless of gender.
GIF from "Ghostbusters."
Not only would you cast them, you would offer them infinite money. If they refused, you would offer them even more than infinity money.
Which doesn't mean the movie is going to be good. It could be! It could also be terrible. Like any huge summer blockbuster, it could land somewhere in between.
GIF from "Ghostbusters."
Right now, no one knows, because basically no one has seen it yet.