This morning (without any warning) Paramount dropped the first trailer for the much anticipated sci-fi/action film Ghost in the Shell starring Scarlett Johansson. Directed by Rupert Sanders, the movie was filmed earlier this year in China and New Zealand.
Based upon the internationally-acclaimed sci-fi manga/anime, Ghost in the Shell follows the Major, a human-cyborg hybrid, who is the leader of Section 9, a specialized task force in mid-21st century Japan. In the film they are faced with an enemy who wants to destroy Hanka Robotic’s advancements in cyber technology.
Originally Margot Robbie was sought out to play the role, but as evident by this new trailer, Johansson is an excellent alternative. But her casting was met with backlash earlier this year, given the original character (although written as ‘ethnically ambiguous’) was Japanese creation, and many felt that Paramount had whitewashed a specifically Japanese/Asian role.
The manga series, which began in 1989, has previously been made into two different animated features, but this film will be the first live-action feature from the material. Director Rupert Sanders is best known for his 2012 film Snow White and the Huntsman, and is attached to a variety of projects currently in development.
Johansson has recently lent her voice talents to the animated features Jungle Book and Sing, and can be seen next year in Rock That Body with Kate McKinnon and Zoe Kravitz. She is also currently working on her feature film directorial debut: an adaptation of Truman Capote’s novel Summer Crossing.
The film will open in theaters on March 31, 2017. Check out the trailer (with an introduction from Scarlett Johanson) below.
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