Scarlett Johansson to Star in Ghost in the Shell Live-Action Film

[FalloutJack]

Well, it has a better chance of success than other ideas that I've heard. Ghost in the Shell is cyberpunk with a philosophical edge. Given her work in Lucy to play a serious-faced, highly-knowledgeable person with incredibly good moves, it isn't a huge stretch to put her in the role of Motoko Kusinagi.

Now, show me the rest of the cast.

 

[FPLOON]

You know... After really thinking about it, I came to the conclusion that I don't give two shits of a fuck how this live-action GitS would go down in the future... (if it even truly becomes a reality with the current crew on hand right now...) I mean, even if this all turns out to be as bad (or worse) than all of the other adaptations that have been stated (and re-stated) as evidence of Hollywood's complete incompetence/ignorance to follow said source material more truthfully, let alone "at least" faithfully, it's not like Hollywood's going to pull a "Hitchcock" and try to "hide" all of the establish source material from the public for "fear" that this live-action adaptation would no doubt be scrutinized for even deviating from even the smallest of details no matter how "faithful", at least, the movie was "trying" to do in general... This adaptation, alongside any of the other adaptations, would not somehow go full "highlander" and claim itself to be the one and only true GitS canon because all the other adaptions of said source material, no matter how better or worse they are in comparison, have forever ceased to exist after the release of the "Americanized" live-action GitS movie with ScarJo and not Rinko Kikuchi as the Major...

With that said, my optimism is chock-holding my skepticism to the point that I haven't given up on different medium adaptations in general, especially when it comes from "animation to live action" and the always debatable "original source to foreign adaptation", so until this particular movie does come out in a theater near you, as long as I still get to read the OG manga series and watch the [OG] animated movie and respected anime series, you won't see me saying how bad it's going to be any time soon... (unless I've already seen it and have yet to fully unlock the ghost inside me to prove it, that is...)

 

[Tsun Tzu]

I...eh.....I don't...

No. I don't have any real hopes for this.

ScarJo has the exact same problem for me that most big name actors do...even if it's an excellent adaptation (it likely won't be), I'm just going to spend the entire viewing time thinking the following:

"Oh. Hey, ScarJo. You're playing the colonel now? Ok, ScarJo. Oh, hey. It's still ScarJo and she's doing the best she can with a meh script. That's ScarJo for ya."

The same issue I have with the likes of Clooney, Sam Jackson, etc.

It bends immersion over the proverbial barrel for me.

Nevermind the whole whitewashing aspect. -.-;

 

[Knight Captain Kerr]

I said this when they had expressed interest in getting Scarlett Johansson in the first place. While I would have preferred Rinko Kikuchi she's not a terrible choice. Still pessimistic about how the film will turn out though.

Sure I'm still going to see it. Maybe not in cinema but I will eventually.

 

[Rellik San]

I actually do hope this does really well... because if it does, how about Rinko Kikuchi starring Ridley Scotts long term passion project: Battle Angel Alita?

Captcha:
"Party on, Garth!"

...

Party on, Wayne!

 

[mecegirl]

I actually do hope this does really well... because if it does, how about Rinko Kikuchi starring Ridley Scotts long term passion project: Battle Angel Alita?

Captcha:
"Party on, Garth!"

...

Party on, Wayne!

Do you really think Rinko Kikuchi would be cast? Some think that she would have been a decent choice for the major and that probablly didn't happen cuz hollywood cares more about what they assume would put butts in seats. If GitS does well then they may try more anime/manga projects with a similar feel, but they sure as hell wouldn't cast an Asian actress for the lead role. It would just get whitewashed like this movie will be.

 

[Tony2077]

i like the series just not sure how this will pan out

 

[RolandOfGilead]

Nothing against Scarlett, but I'd rather see her in a Black Widow flick than this.
They couldn't find one Japanese-descent actress? Really?
I doubt they tried, which, as a whole, is what I fear will ultimately describe this movie. They did not try.

 

[Rellik San]

Just a thought... but it seems no one has addressed this:

This film is aimed at western audiences? So given that Shirow Masamune basically designs his female characters with "would I and my audience fuck her?" in mind, surely this isn't a case of white washing as it is more a case of successfully adapting a core facet of the characters visual design to this medium?

Just an idea worth thinking on... and that said, do you think if a Japanese actress was cast in the role, would the discussions and outrage then be about the objectification caused by the characters costume? (it's basically a Kevlar gymnastics suit after all.)

 

[T_ConX]

Oh crap! Better go burn down Tumblr before the Social Justice Wankers start bit-

Cans of whitewash still experiencing strong sales in Hollywood...

Mokoto Kusanagi... played by Scarlett Johansson. Huh. Wonder how they're going to play off the fact that she's not remotely japanese.

Although if we had a movie centered around a japanese actress we'd all probably just explode from too much change.

Suit 1: "OK, we have a film about a Japanese robot woman leading a group of Japanese government agents against cyberpunk crime in Japan. Who should we cast? That chick from Pacific Rim, uh... Rinko Kikuchi?"
Suit 2: "How about Scarlett Johansson?"
Suits 3-6: "Perfect!"

No

For the simple reason that the Major isn't a blond, blue eyed white woman and never was.

Psst... Scarlett is actually a brunette, and I hate your guts for making me Google 'scarlett johansson natural hair color'. Still, it's not as bad as when I started typing this out.

So you mean to tell me that Hollywood still can't find a decent up and comming asian actor to play what is basically an asian woman's role?

What next --- is Mulan going to be a live action movie with a tall, green eyed red headed woman with Celtic painting on her face?

Roles should fit the creation, this is why a lot of these movies die quickly. They need to open themselves up to a more diverse pool of actors than the same 10 actors.

They couldn't find one Japanese-descent actress? Really?

Aw fuck I'm too late.

Let's just ignore the fact that there's a movie in theaters RIGHT NOW that stars a young black actress play a character that is traditionally portrayed as a ginger.

Also, since we're talking about Japan, let's just ignore the fact that Akira Kurosawa directed not one, not two, but three different movies based on the work of William Shakespeare. Also, forget about the two Miyazaki movies that are based off of English novels.

Also, this anime and live action series based off of Anne of Green Gables. Seems it's open season on us gingers.

As for you guys, how about you go hang out with the dudes who are still angry over Idris Elba playing a Norse God.

 

[Level 7 Dragon]

So far the line of Hollywood adaptations of iconic anime seems to be dissapointing.

Worth mentioning that Edge of Tomorrow was based on a Japaneese lite novel and manga named "All you need is kill". However they needed to rename the film because of the change in lead and the main setting.

What I'm saying is that so far the adaptation seems to be quite different from the original vision of the author. Most likely Hollywood is going to cut down the philosophy and world building in favour of action as they are going for more mass market appeal. In the end, the film and the Manga might only have the name as the only thing they have in common.

Again, it's quite sad that they decided to whitewash the Major, as there are plenty of asian actresses who are far more suited for the role.

 

[Flight]

Why not cast Rinko Kikuchi? She's already fairly well-known for her roles in the US, and she's actually trained extensively for combat roles while working on Pacific Rim. Scarlett Johansson is a decent actress and good with stunts, it's true, but this is hardly a matter of "ability over appearance". Then again, considering who's directing it, I'm honestly not surprised.

 

[RavingSturm]

If this ever gets off the ground I have a sinking feeling it wont be as successful like if it was released years ago. This property has been floating around for a long time and I doubt the newer/younger audience is even familiar with GITS. Anime live-action remakes have had a horrid record at the box office and I've yet to see one that gets it right. Did anybody here even watch the live-action version of KITE with Sam Jackson last year? Also this movie's gonna need some incentive to get woman's asses in the seats like maybe getting Brad Pitt or Keanu Reeves in the movie imho.

 

[blackrave]

Ok, people, one honest question.
Why even call it "Ghost in the shell"?
Just make a movie based on it and call it differently
Then you can take all the liberties with script in the world

 

[Paragon Fury]

You know, after thinking it over a bit.......

I think I can see why ScarJo would be picked to be the Major.

Because she has in essence already (especially in recent films) proven that she can in fact, be almost a literal copy of the Major, down to the attitude, presence and physicality of the role.

Someone like Rinko might look closer to the Major, but she can't (and I don't think most actresses could at this point) carry themselves to fit the Major as well as ScarJo could.

 

[Ariseishirou]

Also, this anime and live action series based off of Anne of Green Gables. Seems it's open season on us gingers.

That anime portrays Anne as a white redhead. And the live action TV show isn't about "Anne of Green Gables" the character, it's about the Japanese woman who translated the book "Anne of Green Gables" into Japanese. It takes place in Japan. Naturally, she's played by a Japanese woman. The characters who were white in her life (like her English principal) are portrayed by white actors.

Seriously, do you not even read the articles you link? Or were you just fishing for random shit to try to back up your "point" that "hurr hurr whitewashing doesn't matter because sometimes minorities play white roles and people who say otherwise are SJWs from tumblr" without even looking at it?

That might be one of the laziest, most intellectually bankrupt things I've ever seen.

 

[T_ConX]

Seriously, do you not even read the articles you link? Or were you just fishing for random shit to try to back up your "point" that "hurr hurr whitewashing doesn't matter because sometimes minorities play white roles and people who say otherwise are SJWs from tumblr" without even looking at it?

What I can I say? I don't like to invest a lot of time getting to internet arguments.

That might be one of the laziest, most intellectually bankrupt things I've ever seen.

Have you heard of third-wave feminism?

Also, I'm surprised I forgot about this:

 

[SonOfVoorhees]

I dont think it matters if the lead isnt Asian. Remember when people argued for a black Johnny Blaze and a black Heimdall - if the colour of their skin/race isnt relevant to the character/story then its not important. So the Major being white is a non issue. Personally Johansson will do a good job and is great at action and fighting scenes. It all depends on the director and the character/set designs - based on those it will be either awesome or crap.

 

[Dark Knifer]

Snip

Your lacking imagination if you really think that scene can't be recreated in live action. You could do it shot for shot word for word pretty easily with a hollywood budget.

That being said I doubt this movie would be any good from the choice of director and the trend of quality anime adaptations have.

But yeah that sort of struck me as Live action always inferior to anime show which is just wrong, they are both fine.