One of the stars of the new Ghostbusters film, Leslie Jones, has defended her role as a member of the apparition-fighting group who is also an employee of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
The portrayal of the team's only non-white member as a subway worker came under fire on social media after the first trailer debuted online.
"Why can't a regular person be a Ghostbuster?" the African-American actress-comedian posted on Twitter.
"I'm confused. And why can't I be the one who plays them? I am a performer. Just go see the movie!"
Jones' character Patty teams up to fight ghosts in the film with Kristen Wiig's particle physicist Erin, Melissa McCarthy's paranormal researcher Abby and Kate McKinnon's nuclear engineer Jillian.
In one scene, Jones' character tells them: "You guys are really smart about this science stuff, but I know New York - and I can borrow a car from my uncle."
A poster for the character released earlier this year referred to Patty as a "ghost tracker, municipal historian, metaphysical commando".
I'd watch @Lesdoggg play a scientist,MTA worker, or a damn cupcake maker. Fair to doubt Hlywd producers. But don't doubt an actor's choice.
— Maggie Williams (@pegpepperoni) March 7, 2016
"I understand this is a reboot of Ghostbusters from 1984 and the new characters mirror their male counterparts," wrote Donna Dickens on the website HitFix.com.
"But it's been over 30 years and the dynamic of three white scientists and 'street-wise' minority is dated."
Jones, who is a Saturday Night Live cast member, made it clear she was not personally offended by the part, adding on Twitter: "IT'S NOT A MAN, WOMAN, RACE, CLASS THANG!! IT'S A GHOSTBUSTER THANG!!"
Ghostbusters' writer-director Paul Feig has not commented on the controversy.
The new Ghostbusters will be in UK cinemas from 22 July.
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