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PEOPLE & ARTSMonday 7 March 2016

Leslie Jones reacts to criticism
of ‘Ghostbusters’ character

In this Sept. 6, 2014, file photo, actress Leslie Jones poses at the DERRIK J. LANG performer. Just go see the and the dynamic of three
“Top Five” premiere at the Princess of Wales Theatre during the AP Entertainment Writer movie!” white scientists and ‘street-
Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto. LOS ANGELES (AP) — Les- Jones’ character Patty wise’ minority is dated.”
Associated Press lie Jones ain’t afraid of no teams up to fight ghosts Jones, who serves as a
ghost — or playing a transit and other apparitions in “Saturday Night Live” cast
worker. the film with Kristen Wiig’s member and appeared in
The co-star of the upcom- particle physicist Erin, Melis- the film “Top Five,” made
ing all-female version of sa McCarthy’s paranormal it clear she was not per-
“Ghostbusters” took to Twit- researcher Abby and Kate sonally offended by the
ter to defend her role as a McKinnon’s nuclear engi- part, adding on Twitter:
member of the paranor- neer Jillian. “IT’S NOT A MAN, WOMAN,
mal-fighting group who ap- In one scene, Jones’ char- RACE, CLASS THANG!! IT’S A
pears in footage released acter tells them, “You guys GHOSTBUSTER THANG!!”
Thursday to be an em- are really smart about this A spokeswoman for “Ghost-
ployee of the Metropolitan science stuff, but I know busters” writer-director Feig
Transportation Authority. New York — and I can bor- did not immediately return
The portrayal of the team’s row a car from my uncle.” messages seeking com-
only non-white member as A poster for the character ment.
a subway worker in film- released earlier this year re- In the original “Ghost-
maker Paul Feig’s new ferred to Patty as a “ghost busters” films, Ernie Hudson
“Ghostbusters” came un- tracker, municipal histo- portrayed the team’s only
der fire on social media rian, metaphysical com- non-white member, Win-
after the trailer debuted mando.” ston.
online. “I understand this is a re- He joined the group by re-
“Why can’t a regular per- boot of ‘Ghostbusters’ from sponding to a help wanted
son be a Ghostbuster?” 1984 and the new charac- ad and did not have any
the African-American ac- ters mirror their male coun- prior experience with para-
tress-comedienne posted terparts,” wrote Donna normal activity.
on Twitter. “I’m confused. Dickens on the pop culture The new “Ghostbusters” in-
And why can’t I be the one site HitFix.com on Friday. stallment is scheduled for
who plays them? I am a “But it’s been over 30 years release July 15.

Tom Hanks to help dedicate
college’s renovated movie center

DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — An In this Jan. 4, 2014 file photo, Tom Hanks arrives at the Palm
Ohio university says actor Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala in Palm Springs,
and filmmaker Tom Hanks Calif.
will help dedicate the
school’s newly renovated Associated Press
motion pictures center.
Wright State University says
Hanks also will participate
in an invitation-only gala
to raise funds for the Tom
Hanks Scholarship and Vis-
iting Artist Program. Hanks
is a national co-chair of
a $150 million fundraising
campaign for the school
near Dayton. Hanks will
appear at several pri-
vate events in addition
to the April 19 dedica-
tion and gala. He’ll meet
with theater, dance and
motion picture students.
The Oscar-winning star of
“Philadelphia” and “For-
rest Gump” is not an alum-
nus of Wright State, but he
has long ties to the school
and a connection with its
teachers and alumni.
He performed at the uni-
versity with a Shakespeare
company in the 1970s.