Thor star Chris Hemsworth has been cast as the receptionist in Paul Feig's all-female Ghostbusters movie, confirming speculation that the role made famous by Annie Potts in the original film would be subject to a gender reversal.

Chris HemsworthChris Hemsworth will play the receptionist role, made famous by Annie Potts in the original Ghostbusters

According to Variety, Hemsworth was approached about the role early in the casting process though turned it down because it was too minor. However, since then Feig and co-writer Katie Dippold have increased the size of the part and the Ghostbusters movie is emerging as one of the bigger releases of 2016. Hemsworth is joining a cast that includes comedy stalwarts Melissa McCarthy and Kristen Wiig, as well as Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones. 

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Feig himself confirmed the news on Twitter, posting a picture of the Marvel star with the caption: "Our receptionist. #whoyougonnacall"

The movie will be the first in the new Ghostbusters 'cinematic universe', with Channing Tatum rumored to be leading a male-led spin-off. 

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Now a bona-fide A-lister, Hemsworth has a number of high profile releases on the horizon including Ron Howard's Oscar-tipped In The Heart of the Sea and the Snow White prequel The Huntsman.

Columbia executives must be licking the lips at the prospect of the Feig-directed picture - his latest movie Spy, also starring McCarthy, continues to do strong business at the box-office, making over $88 million after just one week internationally. His previous comedy efforts, Bridesmaids and The Heat were both hits critically and commercially.

Production on Ghostbusters started in Boston earlier this month. It arrives in cinemas next summer on July 22, 2016. 

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