SINGAPORE - Even before the release of the all-female remake of Ghostbusters due out next month, the film has already had to face a formidable monster - negative buzz.

Director Paul Feig addressed the concerns over the need for a remake at a press conference held at Singapore's ArtScience Museum on June 13 and said he understood where the fans were coming from given that it is such a beloved film.

He said: "The movie was made by people who love the original movie so there's nothing cynical (about the remake). We only want to entertain the audience, there's no other agenda than to make people laugh."

The 53-year-old director, who also helmed the comedies Bridesmaids (2011) and last year's Spy, was accompanied by one of the four Ghostbusters, Emmy-winner and Oscar-nominee Melissa McCarthy. They have worked together several times, including on Bridesmaids and Spy. The reboot also stars Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones as the title characters.

The original 1984 supernatural horror comedy starred Bill Murray and Dan Akroyd and is reportedly the most successful comedy of the 1980s. The catchy theme song by Ray Parker, Jr. also had fans chorusing: "Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters!"

McCarthy, 45, pointed out that the criticism was a case of a "tiny majority yelling a lot" and pledged her support for Feig. "No one else should be doing this."

The only validation she needed was from the cast of the original movie, who she said cheered like they were "at a sporting event" when they saw the movie.

Feig added: "All we ask is watch the movie and judge it based on its own merits. People will talk, but the work will speak for itself."

On June 12 night, director and star were at the Marina Bay Sands event plaza to witness a successful Guinness World Record attempt for the largest gathering of people dressed as ghosts at a single venue.

Ghostbusters opens in cinemas here on July 14.