The production for the live action movie Ghost in the Shell is yet to commence in 2016. Scarlett Johansson will play as the Japanese lead female character. The casting however spurred issues considering that the actress is an American.

Classicalite reports that the production of Ghost in the Shell might start next year for a 2017 release. The live action movie was initially scheduled for release on April 14, 2017 but was moved earlier to March 24 of the same year. Rupert Sanders of Snow White and the Huntsman will direct the film.

JAPANESE AMERICAN

Scarlett Johansson has been confirmed to star in the film as Major Motoko Kusnagi, a cyborg detective who is against cybercrime. However, fans have expressed their discontentment that Johansson who is white, will portray a Japanese character. They say the Japanese animation conquered by Hollywood may not be given justice. In fact, there is already an ongoing petition against Johansson playing the role. The petition read that the original film was set in Japan and most of the cast are Japanese which gives no reason why the American remake should choose a white actress. The casting was described as being unfriendly to Asian actors who are mostly not given major roles in the movie industry.

Despite the criticism, Cheat Sheet reports that the studio and filmmakers of Ghost in the Shell believe that the movie will sell. The live action movie will still be a dystopian setting in Japan.

Johansson was chosen as the lead star after Margot Robbie dropped the role for Suicide Squad where she plays as Harley Quinn. IGN reports that Ghost in the Shell will be based on the 1989 manga of the same title created by Masamune Shirow. The comic book had several animated adaptations as well as two films successfully released by Disney in the U.S.

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