Paul Feig Defends Leslie Jones' "Ghostbusters" Role Amid Racial Controversy

Matthew Eisman / Getty Images

The first trailer for the upcoming Ghostbusters remake dropped to a mix of emotions last week. While some fans were excited, many criticized the clip for its depiction of Leslie Jones' character, slamming the role as racist.

In the movie, Jones plays an MTA worker, while her white co-stars — Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, and Kate McKinnon — play scientists, a discrepancy with which some viewers took issue. Others accused Jones' character of perpetuating the stereotype of the sassy black woman.

Columbia Pictures

Today, the international trailer for Ghostbusters arrived and it includes a brief scene that seemingly nods to the recent controversy: Jones' character screams, "OK, I don’t know if it was a race thing or a lady thing, but I’m mad as hell."

Ghostbusters heads to theaters on July 15.