Scarlett Johansson to Possibly Star in Live Action Adaptation of GHOST IN THE SHELL
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DreamWorks has been developing a live action adaptation of Ghost in the Shell ever since they bought the property a few years ago. Although the development has been slow and quiet for awhile it's now finally heating up as Scarlett Johansson has been offered to play the titular character Major Motoko Kusanagi, the leader of the covert ops unit that fights cyber - terrorists.
Last month, Margot Robbie (The Wolf of Wall Street) was in talks to star in the live action adaptation of the classic manga/anime but according to Deadline, DreamWorks has decided to now offer the lead role to Scarlett Johansson instead, with a bigger payday reportedly worth $10 million. Honestly, I don't blame DreamWorks for changing their mind after witnessing the surprising success of Lucy which has now earned $412 million worldwide. They know that with Johansson they could have an instant box office hit and a potential franchise with her proven star power. On the other hand, after Margot Robbie's notable supporting roles in About Time and Wolf of Wall Street, it's hard to argue that she could be a box office draw as well. Me personally, I would've preferred to see Robbie than Johansson to see her given a chance to shine and see if she can truly become a bona-fide star that can carry big movie tent poles. But worry not! She will get the opportunity to do just that with her upcoming high profile movies, "Focus" opposite Will Smith and "Tarzan". She's also currently in talks for a part in Warner Brother's Suicide Squad which will be the next DC movie after Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice.
So what do you think fellow otakus and geeks? Do you think DreamWorks is making the right decision? Which star would you rather see?
In the year 2029, the world has become interconnected by a vast electronic network that permeates every aspect of life. That same network also becomes a battlefield for Tokyo's Section Nine security force, which has been charged with apprehending the master hacker known only as the Puppet Master. Spearheading the investigation is Major Motoko Kusanagi, who -- like many in her department -- is a cyborg officer, far more powerful than her human appearance would suggest. And yet as the Puppet
Master, who is even capable of hacking human minds, leaves a trail of victims robbed of their memories, Kusanagi ponders the very nature of her existence: is she purely an artificial construct, or is there more? What, exactly, is the "ghost" -- her essence -- in her cybernetic "shell"? When Section Six gets involved in the case, she is forced to confront the fact that there is more here than meets the eye, and that the Puppet Master may hold some of the answers she seeks. But little does she know that he has been seeking her as well.
Here's the trailer for the adaptation of the manga (Warning: NSFW)
