'Ghostbusters' Director Paul Feig Slams Removal of Pro-Hillary Tweet (Exclusive)

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“Ghostbusters” director Paul Feig expressed surprise that Sony officials deleted a tweet from the movie’s official Twitter account that linked Kate McKinnon‘s character with Hillary Clinton’s historic nomination as the first female presidential candidate of a major party.

“This is the first I’m hearing about this but I guarantee that none of us — producers or filmmakers — would have taken this tweet down,” Feig told TheWrap Friday after learning about the studio’s decision to remove the tweet on Wednesday, one day after it was posted to outcry from some conservatives.

“We are pro-woman and all about smashing the glass ceiling and we support the message of this deleted tweet,” the director said. “And I personally am very much pro-Hillary.”

Also Read: 'Ghostbusters' Hillary Clinton Tweet Deleted, Sony Denies Political Endorsement

Though the tweet in question didn’t mention Hillary Clinton by name, it included Kate McKinnon‘s character in the hit comedy reboot and the message: “Boo-yah, we smashed your glass ceiling. There was a ghost behind it. #ImWithHer #BustTheCeiling #Ghostbusters.”

Some conservatives zeroed in on the #I’mWithHer hashtag, which has become a slogan for Clinton supporters.

“The tweet was never intended to be a political endorsement,” a spokeswoman for Sony told TheWrap earlier on Friday.

Also Read: Leslie Jones Returns to Twitter in Wake of Milo Yiannopoulos' Ban

“It was a shout-out to our own glass ceiling-busters,” referring to stars Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones. She declined to explain why the studio decided to delete such a shout-out.

Sony has not yet responded to a request for comment about Feig’s statement.

The Evolution of Melissa McCarthy, From 'Gilmore Girls' to 'Ghostbusters' (Photos)

The actress has come a long way since her days playing Sookie
"Go" (1999)

McCarthy made her feature film debut with a supporting role in "Go," directed by Doug Liman.
Columbia
"Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle" (2000)

The actress had a small role as Doris, a woman flirting with Jimmy Bosley at the crime scene.
Columbia
"Gilmore Girls" (2000-2007)

McCarthy was cast as Sookie St. James, the best friend of Lorelai Gilmore, in the WB television series. The series ended in 2007, and McCarthy was not asked to return for the reboot announced in February.
Warner Bros.
"The Third Wheel" (2002)

The comedian made another small cameo in "The Third Wheel," starring Luke Wilson, Denise Richards and Ben Affleck.
Miramax
"Curb Your Enthusiasm" (2004)

McCarthy played a saleswoman in an episode titled "The Surrogate," in which Larry David gets a heart monitor and uses the device to get out of uncomfortable situations.
HBO
In 2005, McCarthy married Ben Falcone, fellow actor and future "Bridesmaids" co-star (seen here at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival).
Getty Images
"The Nines" (2007)

The actress headlined "The Nines" alongside Ryan Reynolds and Hope Davis. Octavia Spencer, Elle Fanning and Ben Falcone also starred in the sci-fi drama.

Destination Films
"Samantha Who?" (2007-2009)

McCarthy starred as Dena on the ABC sitcom alongside Christina Applegate, Jennifer Esposito and Kevin Dunn.
ABC
"The Back-Up Plan" (2010)

The rom-com starred Jennifer Lopez and Alex O'Loughlin in the leads, but McCarthy starred as a midwife named Carol.

CBS Films
"Mike & Molly" (2010-2015)

"Mike & Molly" premiered on CBS in 2010 and starred McCarthy and Billy Gardell as a couple who fall in love. The show was cancelled in January 2016.
CBS
"Bridesmaids" (2011)

"Bridesmaids" no doubt put Melissa McCarthy on the map as she starred as Megan Price, Maya Rudolph's vulgar sister-in-law. The film became a pop culture phenomenon and also starred Kristen Wiig, Rose Byrne, Wendi McLendon-Covey and Ellie Kemper.
Universal
McCarthy even earned an Oscar nomination for her role in "Bridesmaids," and presented at the 2012 ceremony with co-star Rose Byrne.
Getty Images
"This Is 40" (2012)

With Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann in the leads of Judd Apatow's comedy, McCarthy played a kid's mom who gets in a verbal argument with Rudd's character, Pete, at school.
Universal
"Identity Thief" (2013)

The film was a surprise hit at the box office, debuting to $34.5 million and grossing $134.5 million although it received terrible reviews. Jason Bateman starred in the film about a man getting his identity stolen by a woman.
Universal
"The Heat" (2013)

Directed by Paul Feig, McCarthy teamed up with Sandra Bullock to take down a mobster. The film grossed $230 million globally from a $43 million budget.
Fox
"Tammy" (2014)

The film, which received mixed reviews, had McCarthy in the role of a recently-unemployed woman who goes on a road trip with her alcoholic grandmother. The film made $84.5 million domestically.
Warner Bros.
"St. Vincent" (2014)

Costarring Naomi Watts, Bill Murray and Terrence Howard, "St. Vincent" has McCarthy playing Maggie Bronstein, a single mother who moves next door to Bill Murray's character.
The Weinstein Company
"Spy" (2015)

"Spy" became a surprise hit for McCarthy, who played the lead in the film alongside Jude Law, Jason Statham and Rose Byrne.
Fox
"The Boss" (2016)

McCarthy stars as a disgraced industry titan who goes to prison for insider trading. She then tries to redeem herself by starting a new empire with brownies.
Universal
"Ghostbusters" (2016)

McCarthy joined Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones in Paul Feig's distaff reboot of the supernatural comedy.
Sony