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Ghost in the Shell (2017 film)

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Ghost in the Shell
Theatrical release poster
Directed byRupert Sanders
Screenplay by
Starring
CinematographyJess Hall
Edited by
Music byClint Mansell[2]
Lorne Balfe
Distributed byParamount Pictures[3]
Release dates
  • March 16, 2017 (2017-03-16) (Shinjuku)
  • March 31, 2017 (2017-03-31) (United States)
Running time
106 minutes[4]
CountryUnited States[1]
LanguageEnglish
Budget$110 million[5]

Ghost in the Shell is a 2017 American science fiction action film[7] directed by Rupert Sanders and written by Jamie Moss, William Wheeler and Ehren Kruger, based on the Japanese manga of the same name by Masamune Shirow. The film stars Scarlett Johansson, Takeshi Kitano, Michael Pitt, Pilou Asbæk, Chin Han and Juliette Binoche. It will be released on March 31, 2017, in 2D, 3D and IMAX 3D.[8]

Premise

Cyborg counter-cyberterrorist field commander The Major (Scarlett Johansson) and her task force Section 9 thwart and humiliate criminals, hackers and terrorists. Now, they must face a new enemy who will stop at nothing to sabotage Hanka Robotics' artificial intelligence technology.[9]

Cast

Production

In 2008, DreamWorks (who handled U.S. theatrical distributon of Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence through its Go Fish Pictures banner) and Steven Spielberg acquired the rights to produce a live-action film adaptation of the original manga. Avi Arad and Steven Paul were later confirmed as producers, with Jamie Moss to write the screenplay.[14] In October 2009, it was announced that Laeta Kalogridis had replaced Moss as writer.[15] On January 24, 2014, it was reported that Rupert Sanders would direct the film, with a screenplay by William Wheeler.[16] Wheeler worked on the script for approximately a year and a half, later saying, "It's a vast enterprise. I think I was second or third in the mix, and I know there have been at least six or seven writers."[17] Jonathan Herman also worked on the screenplay. Ultimately, credit for the screenplay was given to Moss, William Wheeler and Ehren Kruger.

On September 3, 2014, Margot Robbie was in early talks for the lead role.[18] On October 16, it was announced that DreamWorks had made a $10 million offer to Scarlett Johansson for the lead role, after Robbie's talks for the role fell apart when she was cast as Harley Quinn in Suicide Squad.[19] In May 2015, Paramount Pictures agreed to co-produce and co-finance the film.[20] On November 10, 2015, Pilou Asbæk was cast in the film for the role of Batou.[21] According to TheWrap, Matthias Schoenaerts was circling the role of Batou that went to Asbæk.[22] On November 19, 2015, it was reported that Sam Riley was in early talks to join the film for the villain role as Kuze, the leader of most dangerous criminals and extremists.[23] But, on February 4, 2016, Variety reported that Michael Pitt was in talks for the role.[24] On March 3, 2016, TheWrap reported that Japanese actor Takeshi Kitano had been cast as Daisuke Aramaki, the founder and leader of the elite unit Section 9 tasked with protecting the world from the most dangerous technological threats.[25]

Principal photography on the film began on location in Wellington, New Zealand, on February 1, 2016.[26] In April 2016, the full cast was announced, which included Juliette Binoche, Chin Han, Lasarus Ratuere and Kaori Momoi.[11] In May 2016, Rila Fukushima was cast in a role.[27] Filming wrapped up in New Zealand on June 3, 2016. Filming also took place in the Jordan area of Hong Kong, around Pak Hoi Street and Woosung Street on June 7, 8 and 10 or 14–16.[28][29]

Release

Ghost in the Shell was originally scheduled by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures for an April 14, 2017, release through their Touchstone Pictures banner.[30][31] The film was part of DreamWorks' distribution deal with Walt Disney Studios, which began in 2009.[32] In April 2015, Disney moved the film's release date in North America to March 31, 2017, with Paramount Pictures handling international distribution.[20][33] However, it was reported in September 2015 that DreamWorks and Disney would not renew their distribution deal, which was set to expire in August 2016.[34] In January 2016, Disney dropped the film from its release slate after DreamWorks' distribution deal with Universal Pictures was finalized in December 2015.[35][36] Disney's distribution rights for the film were transferred completely to Paramount instead of Universal, with Paramount retaining Disney's release date of March 31, 2017.[35]

Box office

In the United States and Canada, Ghost in the Shell will open alongside The Boss Baby and is projected to gross around $25 million from about 3,200 theaters in its opening weekend.[37]

Critical response

On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 71%, based on 42 reviews, with an average rating of 6.1/10. The site's consensus reads, "Ghost in the Shell boasts cool visuals and a compelling central performance from Scarlett Johansson, even if the end result lacks the magic of the movie's classic source material."[38] On Metacritic, the film has a score of 62 out of 100, based on 9 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[39]

Casting criticism

The casting of Johansson in the lead role has caused accusations of whitewashing.[40][41][42][43] It has been alleged that the filmmakers at one point commissioned the usage of CGI and other visual effects testing to alter Johansson's appearance in order to make her appear Asian, spurring further backlash,[44] including an ironic video response from popular YouTube filmmaker Freddie Wong.[45][46] Paramount has stated the tests were short-lived and did not involve Johansson.[47] Some fans as well as people working in the industry have claimed the controversy is a symptom of a bigger issue, and that modern Hollywood fears casting non-white actors would bring films less of a profit than white actors would bring.[47][48] Marc Bernardin of Los Angeles Times commented that "the only race Hollywood cares about is the box office race".[49]

In Japan, some fans of the manga were surprised that the casting caused controversy, as many already assumed that a Hollywood production would choose a white actress in the lead role, and they felt that not too much attention should be paid to the physical appearance of the main protagonist because the dominant themes in Ghost in the Shell are the nature of self-identity and how it becomes affected with the use of different cyborg bodies that host human cyber-brains.[50] Sam Yoshiba, director of the international business division at Kodansha's Tokyo headquarters (the company that holds the rights to the series and its characters) said, "Looking at her career so far, I think Scarlett Johansson is well cast. She has the cyberpunk feel. And we never imagined it would be a Japanese actress in the first place... this is a chance for a Japanese property to be seen around the world."[50][51]

Paramount released a featurette of Mamoru Oshii (director of the original films) visiting the studio, in which he says that Johansson exceeded his expectations for the role.[52] He further stated, in an interview with IGN, that "The Major is a cyborg and her physical form is an entirely assumed one. The name 'Motoko Kusanagi' and her current body are not her original name and body, so there is no basis for saying that an Asian actress must portray her. Even if her original body (presuming such a thing existed) were a Japanese one, that would still apply", and also stating, "I can only sense a political motive from the people opposing it, and I believe artistic expression must be free from politics."[53]

During a launch event in Tokyo, Sanders said of Johansson, "There are very few actresses with 20 years' experience who have the cyberpunk ethic already baked in. I stand by my decision—she's the best actress of her generation."[54] Paul addressed the controversy, referring to the setting of the film as "an international world", stating "There [are] all sorts of people and nationalities in the world in Ghost in the Shell. We're utilizing people from all over the world. There's Japanese in it. There's Chinese in it. There's English in it. There's Americans in it."[55]

Johansson replied to the criticism, stating, "I certainly would never presume to play another race of a person. Diversity is important in Hollywood, and I would never want to feel like I was playing a character that was offensive. Also, having a franchise with a female protagonist driving it is such a rare opportunity. Certainly, I feel the enormous pressure of that—the weight of such a big property on my shoulders."[56]

Pavan Shamdasani of Asia Times said, "The original is about as Asian as things get: Japanese cult manga, ground-breaking anime, Hong Kong–inspired locations, Eastern philosophy–based story. Most of that's been downright ignored with its big-screen adaptation, and Scarlett Johansson's casting as the dark-haired, obviously originally Asian lead sent netizens into a rage."[57]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Ghost in the Shell (2017)". AllMovie. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
  2. ^ "Clint Mansell to Score 'Ghost in the Shell'". Collider.com. Retrieved January 21, 2017.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Film releases". Variety Insight. Retrieved October 15, 2016.
  4. ^ "Ghost in the Shell (2017)". AMC Theatres. Retrieved March 9, 2017.
  5. ^ "Box Office: Can 'Boss Baby,' 'Ghost in the Shell' Top 'Beauty and the Beast'?". Variety. March 29, 2017. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
  6. ^ "Traditional Māori welcome for Ghost in the Shell". Scoop. February 25, 2016. Retrieved November 13, 2016.
  7. ^ "Scarlett Johansson plays cyborg cop in preview for Ghost in the Shell".
  8. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4VmJcZR0Yg Ghost in the Shell Official Trailer 1 (2017) - Scarlett Johansson Movie
  9. ^ Perez, Rodrigo (April 14, 2016). "First Look: Scarlett Johansson In Anime Adaptation 'Ghost In The Shell'". Indie Wire.
  10. ^ "Paramount Pictures and Dreamworks Pictures' "Ghost in the Shell" Is in Production in New Zealand" (Press release). Paramount Pictures. April 15, 2016 – via Facebook.
  11. ^ a b "Ghost in the Shell Photo Released as Production Begins". Comingsoon.net. April 14, 2016.
  12. ^ a b "Watch Ghost in the Shell (2017)". Retrieved March 26, 2017.
  13. ^ "Tricky on the set of Ghost in the Shell".
  14. ^ Siegel, Tatiana; Fleming, Michael (April 14, 2008). "DreamWorks to make 'Ghost' in 3-D". Variety. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
  15. ^ Siegel, Tatiana (October 22, 2009). "Kalogridis to adapt 'Ghost in the Shell'". Variety. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
  16. ^ Bishop, Bryan (January 25, 2014). "Live-action 'Ghost in the Shell' movie signs the director of 'Snow White and the Huntsman'". The Verge. Retrieved March 3, 2014.
  17. ^ McKittrick, Christopher (September 30, 2016). "Queen of Katwe: Expanding What a Disney Film Can Be". Creative Screenwriting. Retrieved September 30, 2016.
  18. ^ Fleming Jr, Mike (September 3, 2014). "'Wolf Of Wall Street's Margot Robbie Eyes 'Ghost In The Shell'". Deadline.com. Retrieved September 3, 2014.
  19. ^ Gallagher, Brian (October 16, 2014). "'Ghost in the Shell' Movie Wants Scarlett Johansson for the Lead". MovieWeb. Retrieved October 17, 2014.
  20. ^ a b McNary, Dave (May 8, 2015). "Paramount Co-Financing Scarlett Johansson's 'Ghost in the Shell'". Variety. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  21. ^ Kroll, Justin (November 10, 2015). "Pilou Asbæk to Co-Star With Scarlett Johansson in 'Ghost in the Shell' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  22. ^ Sneider, Jeff (November 10, 2015). "Scarlett Johansson to Reteam With 'Lucy' Co-Star for 'Ghost in the Shell'". Variety. Retrieved March 5, 2017.
  23. ^ Jaafar, Ali (November 19, 2015). "Sam Riley In Talks For 'Ghost In The Shell' Opposite Scarlett Johansson". Deadline.com. Retrieved November 28, 2015.
  24. ^ Kroll, Justin (February 4, 2016). "Michael Pitt to Play Villain in Scarlett Johansson's 'Ghost in the Shell'". Variety. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  25. ^ Snider, Jeff (March 2, 2016). "Scarlett Johansson's 'Ghost in the Shell' Casts Its First Japanese Actor". TheWrap. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
  26. ^ Friedlander, Monique (February 2, 2016). "Fitness fan! Scarlett Johansson cuts a low-key figure on training session in New Zealand as she takes a break from filming Ghost In The Shell". Daily Mail. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
  27. ^ Kit, Borys; Galuppo, Mia (May 25, 2016). "'Wolverine' Actress Rila Fukushima Joins Scarlett Johansson in 'Ghost in the Shell' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter.
  28. ^ Tsui, Stephanie (June 2, 2016). ""Ghost in the Shell" Will Film in Hong Kong—and There's Still No Asian Lead". HK Magazine. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  29. ^ ""Ghost in the Shell" Will Film in Hong Kong—and There's Still No Asian Lead". South China Morning Post.
  30. ^ McNary, Dave (January 13, 2015). "Disney Sets Several 2016 Release Dates". Variety. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  31. ^ Pedersen, Erik (January 13, 2015). "Disney Dates 'Ghost In The Shell', Moves Jungle Book Back 6 Months". Deadline.com. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  32. ^ Masters, Kim (September 2, 2015). "Steven Spielberg's DreamWorks to Split From Disney, in Talks With Universal (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
  33. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (April 29, 2015). "Disney Moves 'Ghost In The Shell' Up Two Weeks". Deadline.com. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  34. ^ McNary, Dave (September 2, 2015). "Steven Spielberg's DreamWorks to Leave Disney, Possibly for Universal". Variety. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
  35. ^ a b Stedman, Alex (January 25, 2016). "'Ghost in the Shell' Moves to Paramount From Disney". Variety. Retrieved January 26, 2016.
  36. ^ Lang, Brent (December 16, 2015). "Steven Spielberg, Jeff Skoll Bring Amblin Partners to Universal". Variety. Retrieved December 23, 2015.
  37. ^ "'Boss Baby,' 'Ghost in the Shell' to Battle 'Beauty and the Beast' This Weekend". TheWrap. March 29, 2017.
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  39. ^ "Ghost in the Shell reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive Inc. Retrieved March 30, 2017.
  40. ^ Brown, Tracey (January 10, 2015). "'Ghost in the Shell': Scarlett Johansson casting called 'whitewashing'". Hero Complex. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  41. ^ Child, Ben (January 16, 2015). "DreamWorks accused of 'whitewashing' Ghost in the Shell by casting Scarlett Johansson". The Guardian. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  42. ^ "Is Scarlett Johansson casting Hollywood 'whitewashing'?". BBC News. April 19, 2016.
  43. ^ Fuster, Jeremy (April 14, 2016). "'Ghost In The Shell' Fans Not Happy About 'Whitewashed' American Remake". TheWrap. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  44. ^ Sampson, Mike (April 14, 2016). "Exclusive: 'Ghost in the Shell' Producers Reportedly Tested Visual Effects That Would Make White Actors Appear Asian". ScreenCrush. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
  45. ^ Flint, Hanna (April 17, 2016). "Max Landis says ScarJo's Ghost In The Shell casting wasn't whitewashing". Metro. Retrieved June 12, 2016.
  46. ^ Patch, Nick (April 18, 2016). "Ghost in the Shell just one example of all-white-everything Asian adaptations | Toronto Star". Toronto Star. Retrieved June 12, 2016.
  47. ^ a b Child, Ben (April 18, 2016). "Max Landis: there are 'no A-list female Asian celebrities' who could have taken Scarlett Johansson's Ghost in a Shell role". The Guardian. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
  48. ^ Chow, Keith (April 22, 2016). "Why Won't Hollywood Cast Asian Actors?". The New York Times. Retrieved May 28, 2016.
  49. ^ Bernardin, Marc (April 18, 2016). "Hollywood's glaring problem: White actors playing Asian characters". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
  50. ^ a b Blair, Gavin J. (April 19, 2016). "Scarlett Johansson in 'Ghost in the Shell': Japanese Industry, Fans Surprised by 'Whitewashing' Outrage". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 20, 2016. Some Japanese commentators on Twitter suggested that not too much attention should be paid to the physical appearance of the actress, because the dominant themes in Ghost in the Shell are the nature of identity and cyborgs used to host cyber-brains. 'There's been a lot of criticism from foreign fans about the casting of Scarlett Johansson as Motoko Kusanagi in the movie adaptation of Ghost in the Shell,' wrote @janyojanyo. 'It's about artificial bodies, so you may as well think of it as her using a white cyborg...'.
  51. ^ Romano, Nick (July 1, 2016). "'Ghost in the Shell' producer comments on Scarlett Johansson's casting". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
  52. ^ "'Ghost in the Shell' featurette: Original director Mamoru Oshii praises Scarlett Johansson".
  53. ^ Osborn, Alex (March 21, 2017). "Original Ghost in the Shell Director Mamoru Oshii Has No Problem with Live-Action Remake". IGN. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
  54. ^ "'Ghost in the Shell' Trailer Unveiled at Tokyo Launch Party".
  55. ^ Cheng, Susan (July 1, 2016). "'Ghost in the Shell' Producer Explains Why The Film's Approach Is 'the Right Approach'". BuzzFeed. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  56. ^ "Scarlett Johansson responds to Ghost In The Shell whitewashing controversy". Retrieved February 9, 2017.
  57. ^ Shamdasani, Pavan (January 28, 2017). "Whitewashing the Great Wall: A short history of cinematic whitewashing". Asia Times. Retrieved February 2, 2017.
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