Reports: Sony Keen on Paul Feig, of Bridesmaids, for Ghostbusters 3 Director

Borys Kit of the Hollywood Reporter has posted that Sony's latest #1 choice for a Ghostbusters 3 director is Paul Feig, best known for directing Bridesmaids. Kit's sources reveal that nothing is official yet, but Feig has expressed interest in taking on the project and much must be worked out as discussions turn formal. Also of interest, it has been revealed that the film will focus on female Ghostbusters, of which we knew there would be at least one suited member.

Why Feig makes sense: Paul has experience with some fantastic comedy writing and directing, including acclaimed credits on Freaks and Geeks, Arrested Development, The Office and BRIDESMAIDS. If the new Ghostbusters team is looking to carve a new path and avoid comparisons to the original boys-in-grey, the easiest way to do that is to throw more than one woman into the mix... and if there is anyone who has nailed directing a mainstream comedy film with hilarious, real women in leading roles, it is Fieg.

After her breakout role in Bridesmaids, we even went as far as to suggest Melissa McCarthy as one of this blog's top four choices for new Ghostbusters. She still stands strong as a solid choice, though McCarthy's follow-up roles have been less-than-inspired over the last few years. Feig's recent history of on-film collaborations with McCarthy might point to her eventual casting, especially as an older female part has been rumored to be scripted.

On an interesting note, as we've been noodling who would be best to direct a new film starring a potentially SNL-heavy ensemble, we've had Feig on our radar as well. He's directed one of the best-reviewed comedies of the last 10 years, one stocked with SNL stars at that. It is rewatchable, it is quotable and it is very hard to discount him as a director with incredible potential for the franchise... check out this old note from the GB3 Blog iPhone. Yup!

UPDATE: Variety has jumped on-board with similar information and some confusing new details, publishing an article written by Maane Khatchatourian about an hour after The Hollywood Reporter's post. Khatchatourian's Variety article makes no reference to Kit's THR article, so one would assume that unnamed sources are talking to each media group separately.

Variety says that the female character-centered Ghostbusters film will be a "total reboot," "written from scratch." Over in these parts, we'd assume that a "total reboot" would mean that neither Ghostbusters film ever existed in the new movie's universe. With several scripts already finished in the vein of "semi-reboot sequel," hearing that the script will be a "total reboot" and "written from scratch" makes it sound like all existing material is being scrapped for a rewrite. Either the sources are being vague/misleading, Khatchatourian is confused about what "total reboot" means or these are some MAJOR changes being made to what we've seen developed since 2007.

TIME. WILL. TELL.