Scarlett Johansson will play Major Motoko Kusanagi, lead character for 'Ghost in the Shell' movie, a Japanese-based manga and anime, to which fans accuse DreamWorks of "white washing". Paramount confirms co-financing 'Ghost in the Shell' with DreamWorks, which will be released on March 31, 2017.
DreamWorks, under Disney Pictures will produce a live action adaptation of Masamune Shirow"s "Ghost in a Shell", Major Motoko Kusanagi will be played by Scarlett Johansson. According to the manga, Motoko Kusanagi is a cyborg who has a strange and difficult character. The lead role was supposedly intended for Margot Robie but she declined because of her role "Harley Quinn" in Suicide Squad.
DreamWorks receives flak from 'Ghost in a Shell' fans accusing the studio of "white washing" an Asian intellectual property. 'Ghost in a Shell' is also known as Mobile Armored Riot Police, a Japanese media franchise that had produced numerous anime adaptations and feature films. The original story was created in Asia, thus ruining the plot. Moreover, Hollywood films have been ruining anime and manga in adaptations to film. The original manga series for Ghost in a Shell' was issued between April 1989 and November 1990. Subsequently, other stories were published from 1997 to 2003.
Paramount reportedly will co-finance the "Ghost in the Shell" movie. It was agreed that the DreamWorks would release the film in the United States, while Paramount will be in charge with international release of the film.
Steven Spielberg and DreamWorks procured the rights for the adaptation of "Ghost in a Shell" in 2008. The producers include Avi Ara and Steven Paul, while the screenwriters are Laeta Kalogridis and William Wheeler. The director for the film will be Rupert Sanders. However, fans of the manga series have already petitioned.
"Ghost in the Shell" movie is scheduled for release on March 31, 2017. So stay tuned for more updates!
Join the Conversation