Details on Chris Hemsworth’s Ghostbusters Reboot Role

This past week saw the totally unexpected but actually rather brilliant news that ‘Thor’ actor Chris Hemsworth is joining Sony’s upcoming reboot of ‘Ghostbusters’ - as the team’s secretary.

Given that Paul Feig’s new take on the 1984 classic showcases a female quartet of proton pack-wielding paranormal exterminators in place of the original’s all-male foursome, there’s a certain logic in giving a man the Janine role, memorably taken by Annie Potts in the first two movies.

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In casting someone as notoriously hunky as Hemsworth, it seemed likely the role might play up his sex appeal, and poke fun of Hollywood’s double standards by making the guy the eye candy for a change.

However, according to reporter Jeff Sneider, there may be a bit more to it than that. He has cited insider sources on some more specific details of what Hemsworth’s role might entail - and, if true, these may be moderate spoilers, so read on at your own risk (but also keep a pinch of salt handy)…

In the recent Meet the Movie Press podcast/video (the same one in which Sneider broke the news that Asa Butterfield is out of the running for Sony and Marvel’s upcoming Spider-Man reboot). Sneider reiterates earlier reports that the ‘Ghostbusters’ role was significantly rewritten for Hemsworth after he initially turned it down - and here’s what was allegedly changed:

“From what I’m hearing, they’re going to pull a little Sigourney Weaver/Rick Moranis action on Chris Hemsworth. If you recall in the first film, Sigourney Weaver’s body was taken over by an evil presence [Zuul].

“...Now, I don’t know who the villain is in [the new] ‘Ghostbusters,’ but from what I hear you are going to see that happen with Chris Hemsworth, that his body will be taken over in some respect, and he may very well find himself up against the Ghostbusters.”

In case we’re wondering whether this means Hemsworth will be donning a diaphonous dress and seductively asking “are you the Keymaster?” before transforming into a giant dog, let’s keep in mind that Feig’s film is pitched as a total back-to-square-one take on the Ghostbusters concept, as opposed to a direct remake. While it may hit similar beats, the plot is expected to be totally different.

Still, it’s an interesting idea, and could be a nice way to further honour the spirit of the original movie - and if it was enough to bring Hemsworth on board after his initial rejection, we can but hope it’s giving him something he can really sink his teeth (possibly fangs?) into.

Hemsworth joins Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones in the film, which is co-written by Feig and Kate Dippold. It is expected to start shooting this summer, and is due in cinemas on 22 July 2016.

In the meantime, Hemsworth takes on one of his first notable comedy roles in another 80s reboot, ‘Vacation,’ which opens on 21 August - see the rather revealing (i.e. NSFW) trailer below.

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Picture Credit: WENN, Sony