1

Oh fucking God no. Spielberg is the last person on Earth that should be doing a live-action adaptation of any anime, let alone Ghost in the Shell. I can't even begin to imagine how many thing he will fuck up with this movie.

NamelessTed on Apr 14, 2008

2

Whoa, why such hostility? What's wrong with Spielberg adapting an anime??

Alex Billington on Apr 14, 2008

3

I mean, Spielberg is a good director/producer and everything, but I just don't want to see him doing anime. But, the types of movies that Spielberg is involved with is very different from the type on anime that GitS is. I am excited to see anime getting more attention as of late, but I don't want to see a trend of hollywood doing mediocre Hollywood adaptations of anime.

NamelessTed on Apr 14, 2008

4

I think it's safe to say Spielberg will be producing the film through Dreamworks rather than directing - his slate is pretty full over the next few years.

Speaking of Zack Snyder, there's a guy I would like to see make this.

But even if it's Spielberg, it has a lot of potential. He did a fantastic job with Minority Report.

Still, it's not the director that's going to make or break this thing. It's the screenwriter.

John on Apr 15, 2008

5

Could you please help me with something guys?
when you say live action 3d movie are you talking about live action like with real actors and everything in between and 3d glasses? or a movie a la beowulf?

It might sound kinda dumb, but I live far far away from hollywood!

bltzie on Apr 15, 2008

6

Nah bltzie, the first thing you said. Beowulf is CGI 3D, live action is basically a live movie in 3D - e.g. Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D (sadly I reference that piece of crap).

Alex Billington on Apr 15, 2008

7

Yet another sign that Hollywood is running out of ideas and are bridging a gap that should've only been widened. Anime does not deserve to be translated over to live-action Hollywood movies. They are world's apart and quite frankly I'm not a fan of anime at all.

Brad on Apr 15, 2008

8

Doesn't deserve to be translated to live-action? Are you kidding me. I mean, I don't want to see anime adaptations turning into comic book adaptations. I mean, there are a couple really good comic book movies (Batman Begins) but most of them are either just mediocre or plain bad.

But I don't understand how you could say that anime doesn't deserve Hollywood remakes. I would like to ask you what anime you have even watched. If you say Sailor Moon or Dragon Ball Z then you have no idea what you are talking about. There are some really amazing animes out there, you just need to find the right ones.

Although I do also agree that Hollywood is running out of ideas. All of the original screenplays are indie films. A majority of the hollywood movies these days are remakes, book adaptations, or the same story we have heard a dozen times only with different characters.

NamelessTed on Apr 15, 2008

9

@ John

I agree that Zack Snyder would be an excellent director for this film, but I disagree that screenwriters make or break a film. It's totally the director who determines how the film looks, feels, and progresses. The screenwriters only control dialogue and general movements and direction. It's up to the director to bring the screenwriter's script to life.

But nonetheless…I trust speilberg.

Matt Suhu on Apr 15, 2008

10

Good luck to him!

I'm not a huge watcher on anime,but the anime to film record is pretty bad:

Devilman - TOTALLY crap film, great anime
Initial D - REALLY crap film, great anime
Fist Of The North Star - RUBBISH film, ok anime

There are probably other examples i've forgot or not seen (Gunhed?)

I'd love to see the 3 Cyber City: Oedo 808 stories adapted, give Cyber City to Frank Millar and Robert Rodriguez to adapt and it could be AWESOME.

chris on Apr 15, 2008

11

It makes me sad that Shirow would actually let someone else take charge of his work. I love Spielberg, but I just don't seem him doing this great anime any justice. It just shouldn't be messed with. Same thing with Akira……. now they're going to mess that anime up as well. Hollywood needs to get a new wave of writers, there's plenty of people out in the world with great ideas but they don't have the means to get in contact with the right people.

Diego on Apr 15, 2008

12

@#9,

The script of a film can absolutely make or break it. It doesn't matter how well a film looks or feels - if there isn't a good story to tell, it's not going to be a good movie.

That's what the screenwriter controls - the story. Which isn't to slight the role of a director, simply to make the point that this film's script is going to have a very real impact on the movie. As they all do -

But particularly this one. If you watch the original GitS, you'll see that it'll be quite difficult to adapt this directly. It has a lot of "information dumps", where the characters engage in on-the-nose discussions of how their technology has progressed, what certain things mean, etc. Which works for anime, but not for a Western film.

The role of the screenwriter, then, is to CRAFT A STORY that's going to be able to communicate all those things.

John on Apr 15, 2008

13

Another thing to #9,

A director isn't "totally in control of how a movie feels and progresses"…

Film is a collaborative effort. Talk about the feel and look of a movie, and you're talking about not only the director's role, but that of the DP, production designer, composter, etc.

Talk about how a movie progresses, and you're talking about the editor.

While the director can guide those people, if they're not talented, you're not going to get the movie you should get.

And don't forget the person that's REALLY in charge - the producer.

John on Apr 15, 2008

14

Don't we have one Hollywood equal of GITS already? Why can't the Wachowski brothers do it? I can't see Spielberg adapting GITS without making it cheesy.

Guarayakha on Apr 15, 2008

15

The Wachowskis actually used GITS as a reference, sitting down Silver making him watch it and saying "We want to do this with real people." That's why they wouldn't do it, they've kinda done it already. (Not mention they're already adapting an anime…"Go Speed Racer, Go…")

It kinda figures that Spielberg would be interested in GITS. As post #4 stated he did do a good job with Minority Report in portraying a realistic near-future society. Also some of the main themes of GITS, (who am I, what's really the difference between human & machine, where does the line blur), Spielberg started exploring with the film A.I. so it's not completely new territory for him.

As for a director, you need some one who can do intelligence & action at the same time, conveying a lot of info while still keeping a tight pace. Someone remind me. Who did the Bourne movies again? Get that guy.

Three things I'm a little iffy about:

1. The 3D. Could be really cool or really cheezy. I hope they pay a visit to the set of Avatar and have a chat with Cameron.

2. The music. The original score to the first films are brilliant, and I hope they at least make reference to it. Especially the main theme that opens the movie.

3. Americanization. If anyone has been reading my posts on Akira, then they know my stand on the whole "New Manhattan" B.S.

Other than that, this thing is begging for an IMAX release!

jason_md2020 on Apr 15, 2008

16

I just wanted to add to the discussion on who makes or breaks a film. Obviously there are a handful of people that have a large portion of control in the movie, but if you want to pin one person with more control over the film than the others it would be the editor.

Sure, you need to have a good story to tell so you have to have a good screenwriter. But, do you realize how many times there were good scripts and when the director or producer get a hold of it they decide that they need to do things like add polar bears outside of Superman's ice cave thingy?

The editor has final say on how the movie is played. Lejt us look at a movie like Pulp Fiction. I think Tarantino is a great director. He does a great job getting a phenomenal performance out of the actors. That is the most important thing for directing, making the actor give the performance that you need. But Sally Menke does all of the editing. Tarantino basically hands all the film over to her and he doesn't influence her at all until she has a final version to show him. He might then want to make a couple tweaks, but about 99% is done by Menke. Can you imagine any of Tarantino's film if they were edited differently?

NamelessTed on Apr 15, 2008

17

As long as they have the chick jumping off of that building all naked and stuff…in 3D…that's fine with me.

Anonymous on Apr 15, 2008

18

well.. I think I am in the minority here… I JUMPED OUT OF MY SEAT with excitement over this live action adaptation.

HOWEVER, I have to also state some concern over Spielberg… but then again, I can't expect Guillermo to do every film I want to see.

Dusty on Apr 15, 2008

19

Ghost should only ever be manga/anime. at a stretch games but never ever should it be infected by the "live action" effect. Spielberg should be taken out and shot through the head if this adaptation ever sees the light of day. I will personally track down Spielberg and drive a stake through his foul heart for even considering the masterpiece that is Ghost to ever be toched by western hands let alone the jackass self loving person that Spielberg is…

Keiko on Apr 15, 2008

20

Two things I wish people would get straight:

1) Spielberg is not attached to direct. He's not even producing it himself! It's just at his frickin' studio. This will have less of Spielberg's fingerprints on it than Transformers did. Wait ’til we have a director named before you start crying.

2) IT WAS A FUCKING COMIC BOOK FIRST. They're not remaking the anime. And the anime film was an adaptation of the comic. This has nothing at all to do with the anime or the TV series.

Gordon on Apr 15, 2008

21

@ #21 saying "This has nothing at all to do with the anime or the TV series." That's the main problem all of us fanatics of GitS see! They're going to basically use the name and milk the story for all its' worth like almost everything that's made in Hollywood.

And Dreamworks making this is also a bad choice, their movies have always been inferior when you compare them to studios like Pixar. If anything they should get the people that did "Final Fantasy Advent Children" to make this movie, it would certainly fit better.

Diego on Apr 15, 2008

22

Honestly I'm excited for this. A long time ago I thought it would be awesome if they did a GiTS live-action movie. It just has this while cinematic feel to it that begs to be turned into a movie.
I hope they get Japanese actors and they keep the Japanese names, otherwise they might as well do a whole 'nother movie.
Oh, and the soundtrack better be kick-ass.

Alfredo on Apr 15, 2008

23

Hmmm, if it wasn't for Speilberg's name on this I would turn my back on it now. Anime to live action never mesh that well but I have faith in Steven.

Ryan on Apr 15, 2008

24

This movie will never happen. It's just studios flexing their buying muscles, further infuriating fans of what is already a near perfect work of art.

Btw- Spielberg's A.I. was, in actuality, Stanley Kubrick's TREATMENT of A.I., bought by Spielberg (whose work Kubrick openly despised) and produced, post mortem (to prevent doing anything 'against Kubrick's wishes), with inserted over-the-top, unecessary FX sequences, concieved by Spielberg.

"Spiel": A lengthy or extravagant speech or argument usually intended to persuade.

That's my take on Spielberg. He'll talk alot of hot air, if he thinks its good for business.
Likewise, he'll make alot of crap films, even if he's capable of making excellent ones- again - if it's good for business.

This entire rumor REEKS of "Spiel".

Djo. on Apr 15, 2008

25

look, if it looks like Final Fantasy, i will be happy, those were amazing movies for an amazing series. i trust dreamworks.

taurinh on Apr 15, 2008

26

Diego, I didn't realize you had a time machine in order to know that "they're going to basically use the name and milk the story for all its' worth like almost everything that's made in Hollywood."
Give me a break. Name ONE Hollywood adaptation that you actually liked (Batman Begins? Ghost World? anything?), and you've proven that passing judgment on this film — which doesn't even have a script or a director yet — is just reactionary, pretentious fanboy bullshit.

Also, you're taking my comment about this having nothing to do with the movie or the TV series entirely out of context. My point was, Ghost in the Shell is Masamune Shirow's story — NOT Mamoru Oshii's, and NOT Kenji Kamiyama's. Their works are, like this Dreamworks film, adaptations of the original. At this point, this version has every chance of being just as good as theirs, and any fanboy bitching to the contrary is just reactionary, pretentious fanboy bullshit.

Christ, when did movie news sites turn into a racetrack for geeks to see who can be the first to bitch about something on the internet?

Gordon on Apr 15, 2008

27

Well how about that for a general consensus?

Spielberg NO for GITS the live action!

I'd have to say I'm with everyone else on this. Admittedly I've always wanted to see an anime such as Ghost In The Shell or Akira made into live action, but Spielberg was most definately not one of the directors I would have immediately thought of.
I'm in a agreement with #3.
I've follwed GITS very closely as an anime ever since the first film, and although Spielberg can do epic war films such as Shindler's List, he doesn't have the right stuff about him to make a film with this much Grit.
If he wasn't already doing so much Directing-wise, I would have said Bryan Singer would be a good candidate…maybe, just maybe Guilermo Del Toro could do it justice too if he gave cyberpunk a go.

Adam on Apr 15, 2008

28

First off, to the guy named Gordon– cool your engines. The "fanboys" as you put them have every right to be upset. While Batman Begins was a good movie, track record will tell you that it, Holywood has a habit of screwing up and using the love of the same fanboys simply to get their money. Batman Begins was good– but how many other Batman movies failed horribly before it came out? They often care very little about if the movie is actually good– as long as it sells. When you have a fanatical fanbase that screams "OMG I'm going to buy and watch this because I'm so uber into it" then you don't have to worry about actually doing a good job. They'll buy any crap you put out simply because it has the logo on it.

However, that is why fans SHOULD be much more critical. It should be demanded that they stick with original story, because the story is very much the reason it is famous in the first place– not the cool looking characters or animation. Those aspects always come secondary. Someone mentioned FF7AC as a good example– to God I hope those people (SE) never get their hands on Ghost. The FF7 prequels and sequels all were examples of how SE exploits their fans for the sake of their own profit. It wasn't until DoC (Dirge of Cerberus) that fans started waking up and realising how crappy things were being handled. SE showed a bunch of matrix-like action and cool graphics, but once you actually start watching for true story content… it is very much unsatisfactory– even contridictory; which is quite enraging since it is suppose to tie in with the original story and do it justice. But I digress.

You should learn to respect the opinions of those who are hardcore fans. It is the number of those fans that brought Ghost it's wealth in the first place– so their opinions matter quite a lot. And they have every right to worry about the well-being of it's story. Constantly accepting bullshit will only allow for more bullshit to be produced. So instead of lossing your mind and getting all pissed off, try to understand it from their perspective.

Allen on Apr 15, 2008

29

I feel the need to re-iterate.

Spielberg is NOT signed onto direct. Spielberg's studio, Dreamworks, is producing the film - THAT'S
why he's speaking here.

Spielberg has been the most influential director in Hollywood since Jaws invented the summer blockbuster. I marvel at the hubris it takes to accuse the man of not having "the right stuff" to make this, should he choose to (which I highly doubt he will).

How many masterpieces must he make before elite know-nothing film snobs afford him his due respect?

Jaws
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Raiders of the Lost Ark
E.T.
The Color Purple
Schindler's List
Jurassic Park
Saving Private Ryan

John on Apr 15, 2008

30

Sorry I will not judge this film yet. I have a great interest in GITS. I will reserve my judgment anythin g is better then Uwe boll

SHANED on Apr 15, 2008

31

To Dijo:

This is Innacurate. Kubrick had talked to Spielberg for years about doing AI, starting at least in the 80's when Spielberg was doing Raiders and Kubrick was doing The Shining. Kubrick said that AI was closer to Spielberg's senceabilities and he wanted him to do it. Spielberg declined back then but in the meantime Kubrick decided not to do it because the technology was not good enough. So after he died, the producer of many of Kubrick's films brought the notes and treatment to Spielberg and asked him if he wanted to do it. ONLY THEN did Spielberg decide to do it.

ED_1138 on Apr 16, 2008

32

oh thanks Alex!

by the way, this post has been very popular!

bltzie on Apr 16, 2008

33

IMHO if he plans on doing it the entire thing will henge on who/how the role of Major Motoko Kusinagi (spelling) is handled. the others are easy enough to work around but she's a pivital character. The fans of this anime won't be fooled by a lesser person than anyone who can't handle the strong personality type the series/movies has potrayed thus far. I however think that in the name of $$ they will compromise and thus ruin the entire thing for everyone.

azurie on Apr 16, 2008

34

i am still confused, is it going to be like Beowolf, or like sin city, were everything but the people are green screened??


and i think it should just be a live action, with some cgi.. it will make a great movie.. i know most anime fans think that hollywood will ruin it, but when i see these things i think of it as a completely different project than the anime, to keep me from getting mad..

kind of like chronicles of riddick, as a sequal to pitch black it blows. but as a completely seperate project, its actually a really interesting movie.

blake b on Apr 16, 2008

35

Completely unnecessary. Hostility is a perfect feeling to have. I dont read this sight much but if the sites owners/writers support remakes of movies that were done right the first time then they and this sight can kindly fuck off

Slappy on Apr 18, 2008

36

Spielberg hasnt made a good movie in a long long time. he's just a name, there are better directors.

yeah, i don't really want to see a a Spielberg ghost in the shell. the anime is one of my fave movies of all time, and i can't see this to improve it in any way

quads on Apr 19, 2008

37

"Someone mentioned FF7AC as a good example– to God I hope those people (SE) never get their hands on Ghost. The FF7 prequels and sequels all were examples of how SE exploits their fans for the sake of their own profit. It wasn't until DoC (Dirge of Cerberus) that fans started waking up and realising how crappy things were being handled. SE showed a bunch of matrix-like action and cool graphics, but once you actually start watching for true story content… it is very much unsatisfactory– even contridictory; which is quite enraging since it is suppose to tie in with the original story and do it justice. But I digress."

I never considered anything "FFVII" released after the original psx to be worth a damn. I saw all those FFVII spin-offs and saw they were milking people through the "love" of the original FFVII… I didn't fall for it. Squaresoft made great games… Square-Enix only throws out a decent game every other Final Fantasy.

Anyway, about GitS… It's sad that I'm going to get to watch one of my favorite animes get adapted into garbage.

Spielberg–and most of the other big shots in hollywood–does lack experience in this field… I can tell you this all ready. Animes like Ghost in the Shell WILL NOT translate into "blockbuster" hollywood type movies….apples and oranges pretty much.

Do you seriously think that your average american movie-goer will really watch a movie to think?

It really is sad to see that hollywood has finally gotten around to destroying anime.

Robert Paulson on May 5, 2008