'What a way to freshen things up:' Ivan Reitman on the Ghostbusters revamp

After sparking wide debate and online furor, the revamped Ghostbusters finally debuts in cinemasthis week, with original directorIvan Reitmanamong those hailing the new, female-led reboot for offering a fresh perspective.

Hollywood'slatest nostalgicremake issetfor wide release Friday, followingits red-carpet premiere in Los Angeles over the weekend.

It's been more than 30 years since Reitman's originalGhostbusters hit theatres (the Toronto-raised movie mogul also directed thesequel).

After years of starts and stops for a proposed third instalment about a quirkyteam of paranormal investigators,Reitmanproduced thisreimaginedversion, which instantly sparked anegative backlash from some diehard fans of the beloved1980sfranchise, namely for itsall-female cast of leads.

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"There was a lot of fear that somehow things were going to get screwed up," Reitman told CBC News in a recent interview.

"This is a gigantic franchise and has an extraordinary amount of love all over the world. And, so you just have to be sensitive to it."

Reitman discusses the backlash to the newGhostbustersdirected by Paul Feigand starring Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Leslie Jones and Kate McKinnonin the interview above.

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