Holy moley, this is surprising news indeed. Dreamworks is offering US$ 10 million to Scarlett Johansson to play the role of Major Kusanagi Ghost in the Shell, one of the most iconic Japanese cyberpunk science fiction franchises that is slated for a live action, English language adaptation in Hollywood. She wasn’t the only one that was tagged for the role as earlier rumours had Margot Robbie in talks for the role.
If this is true and Scarlett Johansson does accept the role, it’ll further entrench her geek creds, which are already being bolstered by her Black Widow role in the various Marvel Movies as well as her recent sci-fi venture, Lucy.
The rights to Ghost in the Shell were first picked up by Steven Spielberg, who so happens to be the co-owner of Dreamworks, back in 2009. There were rumours of a Hollywood adaption of the anime/manga, but until recently, were just rumours.
However it has now taken a closer step to reality as Rupert Sanders, the director behind Snow White and the Huntsman, was reportedly roped in for the project by Dreamworks. It has also been reported that an existing screenplay by The Reluctant Fundamentalist’s William Wheeler, will be the basis of the live action adaptation. That’s not all heavy hitters like Avi Arad (Spider-Man), Steven Paul (Ghost Rider), and Mark Sourian (Need for Speed) will producing.
Ghost in the Shell is the creation of Masamune Shirow, which was originally a seinen manga published in 1991. However, it wasn’t until 1995 with Mamoru Oshii’s (who has been constantly mistaken as the original creator) seminal anime movie adaptation of the Manga that it obtained iconic status. To date, aside from the original manga, there have been two animated movies, two animated TV series and an OVA series.
Hopefully Dreamworks doesn’t screw this one up as it is one of THE anime that really needs a good live action treatment. So what do you guys think of Scarlett Johansson as Major Kusanagi? Do let us know and maybe even gives us some ideas on who else should be casted as other characters in the Ghost in the Shell universe.
Source: IGN
