As with any cherished classic, there will always be the hardcore fans who reject any reboot, remake, or sequel to the film they love, especially if it comes decades after the original. That’s exactly what has happened since the release of the first trailer for the all-female Ghostbusters reboot last week. Director Paul Feig (Spy) seemed prepared, as should any filmmaker helming a sensitive project like this, to take criticism from the large fanbase for the series. But recently, attacks towards the film started to not only criticize the reboot itself but also the portrayal of one its central characters.

Leslie Jones (SNL) is the one black actress of the four ghost-busting team to not be a scientist, while the other three – Kristen Wiig (Bridesmaids), Kate McKinnon (SNL), and Melissa McCarthy (The Heat) – are. Jones even went as far as to comment that she would possibly leave social media because of all the criticism she’s received about her “street-smart” character and the film itself. However, Feig quickly responded by saying Jones is “a goddess & one of the warmest funniest forces of nature I know.” And he ended his tweet by stating, “F*** the haters.”

This reboot is definitely having its fair share of controversy, which could either cause its opening weekend success to diminish or, possibly, increase. Feig was able to handle the backlash but with his statement that came soon after those comments, it seems he’s not at all on-board with people attacking the cast, specifically. On his official Twitter account, he replied:

And haters, attack me all you want but when you attack and insult my cast, you've crossed the line. Grow up and leave my cast alone.

— Paul Feig (@paulfeig) March 8, 2016

It’s rare that a director takes this strong a stance on a project, particular in dealing with the fanbase, but whether or not this changes how the attackers feel about the reboot remains to be seen. It’s admirable for him to protect his cast this way, although there’s only so much a filmmaker can do to effect the eventual outcome of the film’s reception. With a release slated for this summer, haters or not, we won’t have to wait much longer.

Ghostbusters will be released on July 15, 2o16. Check out the official trailer below: