14 DAY TRIAL // “Ghost in the Shell,” the US live-action adaptation of the manga series by Masamune Shirow, has been in production for a very long time, but things are finally looking up, as the project has secured a lead in actress Scarlett Johansson.
News of the casting is confirmed by Variety. However, rumor of Johansson’s involvement in the project has been floating online since at least October, when she was probably approached with an offer. She’s on board now.
Based on a script by Bill Wheeler, the film will be directed by Rupert Sanders, who previously helmed “Snow White and the Hunstman” with Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth and Charlize Theron. Sanders hasn’t done any other movie since this one because he was caught up in a major scandal that threatened to sideline his career for good, when he was caught cheating on his wife with the young Stewart.
Paramount Pictures might finance and co-produce the film. Steven Spielberg, a huge fan of the original manga series, is also listed as producer.
“Ghost in the Shell” will be set in a future in which humans can replace defective body parts with cybernetic gear, or even have their entire body turned into a machine, inhabited by the brain and the original soul.
Johansson will play a member of the Japanese National Public Safety Commission, looking for a hijacker known as Puppet Master, who uses technology to implant false memories into people.
Landing the part caps off an amazing run for Scarlett, which has helped her attain a peak in popularity: her most recent releases include her role as Black Widow in the Marvel cinematic universe, the indie “Under the Skin” and the action blockbuster “Lucy,” from director Luc Besson.