Scarlett Johannson questions her identity in first Ghost in the Shell trailer
Ghost in the Shell (1995) is a hallmark of animation, so fans of the source material have been wary to say the least concerning the upcoming live-action adaptation starring Scarlett Johansson. The first trailer for the movie just debuted, and internet attitudes are still mixed. For one, the “whitewashing” of the main character played by Johannson caused some controversy, and personally I’m still not sure how I feel about her embodying the iconic cyborg The Major. Additionally, diehards are worried Ghost in the Shell is going to be another generic Americanization/barebones adaptation of the multi-layered source material. Only time will tell if the live-action remake pays off and finds an audience, but at least it doesn’t look terrible at this point.
Watch the first full-length Ghost in the Shell trailer, read a short plot synopsis, and check out a poster for the movie after the jump.
I wouldn’t consider myself a Ghost in the Shell loyalist, but I know there’s an expansive world outside of the original animated 1995 movie. I’d be fine with a note-for-note live-action copy, but there’s a very good chance some of that expanded world will get folded in in some form or another. So, if you love Ghost in the Shell, there’s bound to be an easter egg or two buried somewhere just for you. If you’re still on the fence, maybe knowing the director of the original anime (Mamoru Oshii) visited the set and was pleased with what he saw and recently defended the casting of Johannson will put you at ease. I’m giving the movie the benefit of the doubt for now. Plus, it’s hard to pass up the chance to watch Scarlett Johannson kick some ass in a skin-tight suit.
In case you’re unfamiliar with the 1995 movie or the follow-up films/TV shows, here’s a short plot synopsis for Ghost in the Shell to fill in some cracks:
Based on the internationally-acclaimed sci-fi property, “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 Robotic¹s advancements in cyber technology.
Ghost in the Shell was directed by Rupert Sanders and stars Scarlett Johannson, Michael Pitt, Juliette Binoche, Pilou Asbæk, Michael Wincott, Rila Fukushima, and Takeshi Kitano. The movie hits theaters on March 31, 2017.
