The Hollywood Reporter spoke to Reitman:
"It surprised me a little bit, but then I realized many of the people who are writing were about eight or nine years old when the 1984 Ghostbusters movie came out. It was kind of a seminal moment in their lives," he told THR. "Look, it's a nice compliment to me, that the film has sort of held up for them as an important cinematic experience in their lives."
He admitted that while there may have been a certain amount of gender bias against the new cast, "I wouldn't put it at that as much as some sense of disappointment for people who went through this experience themselves."
Speaking to Mashable, Reitman gave his thoughts more specifically on the gender issues at play in the backlash.
"I think there's way too much talk about gender [when it comes to this film]," he said. "I think that many of the people who were complaining were actually lovers of the [original] movie, not haters of women."
"I think the lovers of the [original] movie felt there was some kind of sacrilege to re-do it, because it was a seminal part of their moviegoing experience as a 7- or 8-year-old," Reitman said. "That's something that can't be minimized, and I totally respect that love."
Read more at
http://www.hitfix.com/harpy/ivan-re...ers-backlash-wasnt-sexist#Hl5L0r7Dbws2I5bq.99