Ghostbusters: Melissa McCarthy nearly played Leslie Jones' character

Director Paul Feig reveals the role of Patty Tolan was originally intended for the film's other star, Melissa McCarthy

The release of the first Ghostbusters trailer was greeted with a certain level of controversy; specifically in the pitching of three white, educated scientist characters against a black character seen to rely on her "street smarts".

Some expressed concern the dynamic was slipping into the usual, tired stereotypes; though Leslie Jones has since hit back against criticism and the film's international trailer seemed to subtly poke fun at the level of backlash the actress has personally received.

However, Paul Feig has revealed Jones wasn't even originally intended to play the role of Patty Tolan. Speaking to Empire Magazine, the director revealed he, and co-writer Katie Dippold, had specifically written the role for Melissa McCarthy; who now stars as paranormal researcher Abby Yates, responsible as the major force behind the creation of the Ghostbusters team.

"[B]ut then I thought I’ve seen Melissa play a brash, larger than life character. She’s done it in my movies before!" Feig thus looked to Saturday Night Live for a replacement actor for the role; not only does it mirror the origins of the 1984 film's cast members Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd, but Feig confesses he's a huge fan of the show.

And so he came to Leslie Jones, who's been a part of the cast since 2014. "She’s one of my favourite people on the planet," he stated. "I don’t normally like comedy that’s big and loud, but she is able to pull that off in a way that feels real and it’s her.

"And when I make a movie, I want to find the funniest people I know and once I know what’s the funniest thing about them I want that to be the thing that I put on screen and let shine. This is the role that Leslie can shine comedically in."

"If you’ve ever seen her do stand-up, it’s just who she is. I wanted to unleash Leslie on the public in the same way we unleashed Melissa on the public in Bridesmaids, with a very showy role."

Ghostbusters hits UK cinemas 15 July.