Dan Aykroyd: New 'Ghostbusters' Cast Is "Magnificent"

The original Ghostbuster says the new film is a great step forward for women in Hollywood.

Original Ghostbuster Dan Aykroyd, who also co-wrote the 1984 Ghostbusters film, couldn't be more pleased with the new all-female Ghostbusters cast, telling The Hollywood Reporter, "The Aykroyd family is delighted by this inheritance of the Ghostbusters torch by these most magnificent women in comedy."

Aykroyd's statement continued, "My great grandfather, Dr. Sam Aykroyd, the original Ghostbuster, was a man who empowered women in his day, and this is a beautiful development in the legacy of our family business.”

THR broke the story about the new casting Monday.

Melissa McCarthy has signed on for the Paul Feig-directed reboot, while Sony is currently negotiating with Kristen Wiig as well as Saturday Night Live players Leslie Jones and Kate McKinnon.

Negotiations are ongoing, but the full quartet is expected to sign on as the specter-hunting foursome very soon.

McCarthy and Wiig have worked with Feig before, breaking out together in the director’s Bridesmaids.

Jones, who currently appears in Chris Rock’s Top Five, joined SNL early last year and this fall was promoted to feature player status. McKinnon has been on SNL since 2012 and last year was nominated for an Emmy for her work.

The movie is set for release on July 22, 2016, Feig said on Twitter.