Well, this is a nice Thursday surprise. We've been hearing about Ghostbusters 3 for years. Till now, it's always seemed like a bit of desperate nostalgia project from Dan Aykroyd and Bill Murray made it clear he wants nothing to do with the thing. And so news that Bridesmaids director Paul Feig is directing and writing a primarily female-led movie with Parks and Recreation scribe Katie Dippold is fascinating.

Paul FeigPaul Feig is writing and directing 'Ghostbusters 3'

"It's official. I'm making a new Ghostbusters & writing it with@katiedippold & yes, it will star hilarious women. That's who I'm gonna call," wrote Feig on Twitter.

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The announcement comes just weeks after Bill Murray tipped his St Vincent co-star Melissa McCarthy to star in Ghostbusters 3. Whether Murray knew something about casting remains to be seen, though it seems pretty convenient that McCarthy starred in both Bridesmaids and The Heat - which Dippold also wrote.

"Melissa [McCarthy] would be a spectacular Ghostbuster," Murray said at the Toronto Film Festival in September.

"And Kristen Wiig is so funny-God, she's funny! I like this girl Linda Cardellini a lot," he added, "And Emma Stone is funny. There are some funny girls out there."

Dan Murray Melissa McCarthyBill Murray [L] has tipped Melissa McCarthy [R] for 'Bridesmaids 3'

Told of Murray's recommendation, McCarthy did little to play down the possibility: "Oh my God, that's daunting. That's taking on a legend, a legendary movie. But I would do anything with those ladies, anything at all."

Speculation of a female led Ghostbusters 3 began building last week after Feig told E! News, "The fun thing about it is there are so many different directions it can go and honestly there are so many funny women in Hollywood.it's very exciting to me."

The original movies were directed by Ivan Reitman and written by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis. There has been rumors that Aykroyd was ready to pen the third instalment, but given that he hasn't really come up with anything since 1991's Coneheads  - we think Feig is a safer bet. A much safer bet. 

More: it's official: Ghostbusters 3 is happening!