The latest set photo has some fans up-in-arms about the casting choice for Scarelett Johansson in the lead role.
[dropcap size=small]T[/dropcap]he upcoming Ghost in the Shell live-action adaptation has been the subject of much controversy of late. Most of the criticism aimed at the film has been pointed directly at the casting of Scarlett Johansson, who will be playing Masamune Shirow’s protagonist, Motoko Kusanagi.
Kusanagi is an augmented-cybernetic human who leads the fictional Japanese law-enforcement division known as ‘Section 9.’
Many have argued that Motoko should be played by an Asian actress, and with so many Asian actresses out there, the lack of representation in Hollywood has been one of the biggest issues raised – alongside the issues of whitewashing and cultural appropriation within the world of cinema.
Recently a photo surfaced (via Screenrant) on the twitter account of Production I.G (a Japanese anime studio and production company), which was taken on the set of Ghost in the Shell in China – where production began back in April.
In the photo, Johnasson can be seen in costume next to director Rupert Sanders, who both met with some of the big figures of the GITS series – including Mamoru Oshii (director of 1995’s classic Ghost in the Shell animated movie), Kenji Kamiyama (director of Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex) and Kenji Kawaii (music composer for 1995’s Ghost in the Shell).
Thanks to the GITS cast&crew for having M.Oshii, K.Kawai, K.Kamiyama on set & for their respect towards their work. pic.twitter.com/HYpq7pKb1Z
— Production I.G (@ProductionIGinc) June 27, 2016
It seems as though they’re trying to take back some credibility by showing they have the support of some of the Ghost in the Shell veterans. Whilst it continues to be a hot topic in the West, many in Japan don’t seem to be too phased by the casting choice, and are instead more focused on spreading a well-known Japanese work to a larger audience.
Some big names such Ming-Na Wen (Agents of S.H.E.I.L.D) have taken issue with the problem of whitewashing within Hollywood. Wen has been one of many who have been very vocal on social media about the casting choice for Motoko:
Nothing against Scarlett Johansson. In fact, I’m a big fan. But everything against this Whitewashing of Asian role.😒https://t.co/VS6r6iish9
— Ming-Na Wen (@MingNa) April 14, 2016
It has been rightly addressed that Ghost in the Shell could have been a great opportunity to give an Asian actress a chance to gain more recognition within Hollywood, and I personally would have loved to have seen an actress like Rinko Kikuchi as Motoko.
The negative backlash the project has experienced upon announcing the list of actors involved – which distinctly lacked any Asian actors – seemed to lead to the late casting of Rila Fukushima, but the harm has already been done, and many still remain very sceptical about the adaptation.
We can at the very least hope it will be faithful to Shirow’s story and his captivating futuristic world, as I.G Production’s photo appears to claim.
If you haven’t done so already, we wholeheartedly recommend you check out the classic 1995 Ghost in the Shell movie, as well as the excellent off-shoot series, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex. You won’t regret it.
The live-action adaptation of Ghost in the Shell is due for release 31 March, 2017.
