NEW YORK — To sell “Ghostbusters,” who are you going to call? Not its female stars.

Sony Pictures trotted out commercials Thursday that promoted the female-led reboot not with cast members Melissa McCarthy or Kristen Wiig, but basketball stars Kobe Bryant and Carmelo Anthony. The ads ran during game one of the NBA Finals, which is watched largely by males.

Targeting different demographics through varied marketing strategies is commonplace for Hollywood films. Rarer are ads that replace a movie’s actual cast wholesale.

A lot is riding on the film, due out July 15, which cost over $150 million to make.

Since its inception, Paul Feig’s “Ghostbusters” – which also stars Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones – has proven unexpectedly divisive. Some have objected to the 1984 original being remade at all, while others have voiced criticisms of the female-led cast.

The spots Thursday featured one New York Knicks-centric ad with Anthony, Spike Lee, Kristaps Porzingis and Clyde Frazier strapping on proton packs.

Wednesday will be “Ghostbusters Day.”

At least then the “Ghostbusters” cast will get part of the marketing spotlight. Jimmy Kimmel will host the stars, along with appearances of original cast members Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson and Annie Potts.

– From news service reports