Scarlett Johansson Signs On for GHOST IN THE SHELL
Variety reports that Scarlett Johansson has officially signed on to star in the live-action adaptation of Ghost in the Shell.
DreamWorks is adapting the popular series, which follows Major Motoko Kusanagi, a cyborg member of a covert ops unit of the Japanese National Public Safety Commission (or Public Security Section 9) fighting technology-based crime. The story has several iterations in both Japanese manga and anime. The title comes from the question of whether or not her soul (“ghost”) is still a part of her cybernetic body (“shell”).
Bill Wheeler provided the script, and Rupert Sanders will direct. Avi Arad and Steven Paul are producing.
Deadline Hollywood had reported early interest in Johansson, but no movement had been reported in a long while after it was said she was undecided about the part. Following her turn in the lead role for Lucy, which made $394 million worldwide, and with her upcoming performance in Avengers: Age of Ultron being eagerly anticipated, Johansson is the go-to actress for fronting an action picture.
Ghost in the Shell has long been a pet project for DreamWorks partner Steven Spielberg. Now that Johansson has officially singed on the dotted line, the project is one step closer to a green light. Variety also has sources telling them that Paramount Pictures has an option to co-produce and finance part of the movie, but that decision has yet to be made.
