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First Look Photo: Scarlett Johansson in the 'Ghost in the Shell' Movie

by Alex Billington
April 14, 2016
Source: Business Wire

Hello, Major. Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks have revealed the first official photo from the upcoming Ghost in the Shell movie, marking the beginning of production with this debut. Here's the really cool part - Ghost in the Shell is filming down in New Zealand, using some of the same crews and stages as The Hobbit. Not only that, but they're working with Weta Workshop to design many elements of this sci-fi adaptation. Scarlett Johansson stars, and is seen in the first photo. The cast also includes Michael Pitt, Michael Wincott, Pilou Asbæk and Takeshi Kitano. "The production will broaden the perceptions of the diversity of New Zealand's locations by showcasing a science fiction urban setting in New Zealand." Photo in full below.

Based on the internationally-acclaimed sci-fi property (first developed by Masamune Shirow), Ghost in the Shell follows the Major, a special ops, one-of-a-kind human-cyborg hybrid, who leads the elite task force Section 9. Devoted to stopping the most dangerous criminals and extremists, Section 9 is faced with an enemy whose singular goal is to wipe out Hanka Robotic's advancements in cyber technology. Ghost in the Shell the movie is being directed by Rupert Sanders, of Snow White and the Huntsman previously. The cast features Beat Takeshi Kitano, Juliette Binoche, Kaori Momoi and Chin Han. The film is now shooting in Wellington, New Zealand. Paramount is planning to release Ghost in the Shell in US theaters starting on March 31st, 2017. Stay tuned for more updates from here, as we'll be watching this one closely. Excited?

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Reader Feedback - 26 Comments

Sanders must be one of the least qualified directors to land such a nerd/geek important film.

DAVIDPD on Apr 14, 2016

I want to believe, but I don't have a lot of confidence in the movie

Christopher Dean on Apr 14, 2016

I don't even want to believe sadly...it is doomed worse than the female GHOSTBUSTERS movie.

DAVIDPD on Apr 14, 2016

Yes!

Johnny Neat on Apr 15, 2016

I completely agree. Worst choice for this... Worried about him the most.

Alex Billington on Apr 14, 2016

Yea but sanders has s resume. It's that terrible Snow White movie. Visually it wasn't bad I guess. That's the most positive I can be about it

Jon Odishaw on Apr 14, 2016

Yea the sequel looks even worse. Great cast though.

Jon Odishaw on Apr 14, 2016

He is more known for sleeping with Kristen Stewart during the filming the their movie together.

DAVIDPD on Apr 14, 2016

"Lucy" really exposed her...and not in a good way

Trey on Apr 14, 2016

"under the skin" really exposed her...and in a very good way.

Jon Odishaw on Apr 14, 2016

Exactly.

Sascha Dikiciyan on Apr 14, 2016

Seeing Rupert Sanders attached to this makes me sad

Hien Lam on Apr 14, 2016

Beat Kitano would be better than him!

bumboclot on Apr 14, 2016

I knew they making a movie out of GITS but I had no idea that Sanders is directing it? Holy fuck. They could have chosen anyone less competent? I wish Kathryn Bigelow would have directed this.

Sascha Dikiciyan on Apr 14, 2016

i like her, ease, they're supposed to be JAPANESE how bad are we are whitewashing the shit out of everything and the Americans are the fucking villains of this movie .... seriously

DJ Elektrosniper on Apr 15, 2016

Whitewash baby... Then again was the Major truly Japanese? She seemed to be half caucasian half asian. No?

Johnny Neat on Apr 15, 2016

I always thought Major's ethnicity was a bit ambiguous, and thus I think I'd be okay with casting anyone in the role, but I don't think Scarlett looks the part period.

redtie on Apr 15, 2016

Okay, I'll pick 3 Asian actresses from movies I've watched recently that would have been MUCH better choices Rinko Kikuchi (Pacific Rim), Claudia Kim (Avengers AoU), even Sonoya Mizuno (Ex Machina). All have Green screen experience and Mizuno is even a dancer that could probably pull off those near impossible anime poses. But yea, I'm sure ScarJo will do fine.

R3last on Apr 15, 2016

Oh well, at least there will be Cameron's ALITA: Battle Angel to look forward to, right?

RAW_D on Apr 15, 2016

I was just reading that the Paramount Pictures tested out a technique to 'asian' up the actors in this. But are denying that it involved Scarlett. Mad stuff.

Carpola on Apr 15, 2016

LOL! do you have a link to the article? It sounds hilarious.

raarnt on May 6, 2016

There's one here, pretty mad really. http://screencrush.com/ghost-in-the-shell-whitewashing-scarlett-johnasson-vfx/

Carpola on May 6, 2016

Anime characters are almost all made to look white, deal with it folks.

OfficialJab on Apr 16, 2016

All we need now is for Jonah Hill to voice the Tachikoma and we're all set!

Akirakorn on Apr 17, 2016

I heard that there was going to be a ghost in the shell live action movie a few days ago. I didn't think it was gonna be good and I don't know if it's gonna be good but this looks fucking epic. I don't know why so many people are being so butthurt at the fact that an American actress is going to play the lead.

CupCake Crazy on Apr 19, 2016

How'd that work out for Gods of Egypt et al? People keep trotting out this tired "star power," reasoning and it keeps being played out as false equivalence. That you think she "smashed it," in Lucy points out that we have different tastes. Granted, taste is subjective, but as a fan of the source material IMO Scarjo is out of place.

R3last on Apr 20, 2016

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