Ghost in the Shell
Directed byRupert Sanders
Written by
Starring
CinematographyJess Hall
Production
companies
Distributed byParamount Pictures
Release date
  • March 31, 2017 (2017-03-31) (US)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Ghost in the Shell is an upcoming American film based on the Japanese comics of same name. The film stars Scarlett Johansson, Pilou Asbæk, and Michael Pitt. The film will be released on March 31, 2017 in 3D.

Plot

Based on the internationally-acclaimed sci-fi property, “GHOST IN THE SHELL” follows the Major, a special ops, one-of-a-kind human-cyborg hybrid, who leads the elite task force Section 9. Devoted to stopping the most dangerous criminals and extremists, Section 9 is faced with an enemy whose singular goal is to wipe out Hanka Robotic’s advancements in cyber technology.[1]

Cast

Production

In 2008, DreamWorks (which had distributed theatrically in North America through its Go Fish Pictures banner the film Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence) and Steven Spielberg acquired the rights to produce a live-action film adaptation of the original manga. Avi Arad, Ari Arad, and Steven Paul were later confirmed as producers, with Jamie Moss (Street Kings) to write the screenplay.[2] In October 2009, it was announced that Laeta Kalogridis (Alexander, Shutter Island) had replaced Moss as writer.[3] On January 24, 2014, it was reported that Rupert Sanders (Snow White and the Huntsman) will direct the film, with a screenplay by William Wheeler (The Hoax, The Reluctant Fundamentalist).[4] On September 3, 2014, Margot Robbie was in early talks for the lead role.[5] 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.[6] In May 2015, Paramount Pictures agreed to co-produce and co-finance the film.[7] On November 10, 2015, Pilou Asbæk was cast in the film for the role of Batou, the best fighter and second in command in the army.[8] On November 19, 2015, it was reported that Sam Riley was in early talks to join the film for the villain role as The Laughing Man, the leader of most dangerous criminals and extremists.[9] But, on February 4, 2016, Variety reported that Michael Pitt is in talks for the role.[10] On March 3, 2016, The Wrap reports that Japanese actor Takeshi Kitano is 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.[11]

Principal photography on the film began on location in Wellington, New Zealand, on February 1, 2016.[12]

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.[13][14] The film was part of DreamWorks' distribution deal with Walt Disney Studios, which began in 2009.[15] In April 2015, Disney moved the film's release date in North America to March 31, 2017, with Paramount Pictures handling international distribution.[16][7] However, it was reported in September 2015, that DreamWorks and Disney would not renew their distribution deal that was set to expire in August 2016.[17] In January 2016, Disney dropped the film from its release slate after DreamWorks' distribution deal with Universal Pictures was finalized in December 2015.[18][19] Disney's distribution rights for the film were transferred completely to Paramount, with the latter studio retaining Disney's release date of March 31, 2017.[18]

See also

References

  1. ^ Perez, Rodrigo (April 14, 2016). "First Look: Scarlett Johansson In Anime Adaptation 'Ghost In The Shell'". Indie Wire.
  2. ^ Siegel, Tatiana; Fleming, Michael (April 14, 2008). "DreamWorks to make 'Ghost' in 3-D". Variety. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
  3. ^ Siegel, Tatiana (October 22, 2009). "Kalogridis to adapt 'Ghost in the Shell'". Variety. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ Fleming Jr, Mike (September 3, 2014). "'Wolf Of Wall Street's Margot Robbie Eyes 'Ghost In The Shell'". Deadline.com. Retrieved September 3, 2014.
  6. ^ Gallagher, Brian (October 16, 2014). "'Ghost in the Shell' Movie Wants Scarlett Johansson for the Lead". MovieWeb. Retrieved October 17, 2014.
  7. ^ a b McNary, Dave (May 8, 2015). "Paramount Co-Financing Scarlett Johansson's 'Ghost in the Shell'". Variety. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  8. ^ Kroll, Justin (November 10, 2015). "Pilou Asbæk to Co-Star With Scarlett Johansson in 'Ghost in the Shell' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  9. ^ Jaafar, Ali (November 19, 2015). "Sam Riley In Talks For 'Ghost In The Shell' Opposite Scarlett Johansson". Deadline.com. Retrieved November 28, 2015.
  10. ^ Kroll, Justin (February 4, 2016). "Michael Pitt to Play Villain in Scarlett Johansson's 'Ghost in the Shell'". Variety. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  11. ^ Snider, Jeff (March 2, 2016). "Scarlett Johansson's 'Ghost in the Shell' Casts Its First Japanese Actor". TheWrap. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ McNary, Dave (January 13, 2015). "Disney Sets Several 2016 Release Dates". Variety. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  14. ^ Pedersen, Erik (January 13, 2015). "Disney Dates 'Ghost In The Shell', Moves Jungle Book Back 6 Months". Deadline.com. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  15. ^ 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.
  16. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (April 29, 2015). "Disney Moves 'Ghost In The Shell' Up Two Weeks". Deadline.com. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  17. ^ McNary, Dave (September 2, 2015). "Steven Spielberg's DreamWorks to Leave Disney, Possibly for Universal". Variety. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
  18. ^ a b Stedman, Alex (January 25, 2016). "'Ghost in the Shell' Moves to Paramount From Disney". Variety. Retrieved January 26, 2016.
  19. ^ Lang, Brent (December 16, 2015). "Steven Spielberg, Jeff Skoll Bring Amblin Partners to Universal". Variety. Retrieved December 23, 2015.
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