Ghost in the Shell

Progress on the Scarlett Johansson-led live-action adaptation of the popular anime Ghost in the Shell continues this week. More than a placeholder for the gap at the center of our collective being capable of being filled only by a Lucy sequel, the projected sci-fi tentpole could give Johansson a second series obligation in the event that it connects with the public...

After years of development and uncertainty, the Ghost in the Shell movie is finally preparing to head into production, with Scarlett Johansson set to play the lead role in the English-language adaptation of the beloved Japanese anime. And it looks like Johansson will be keeping some familiar company, as her Lucy co-star Pilou Asbæk has joined the cast.

A live-action adaptation of popular anime Ghost in the Shell has been in development for years, but this past year things really got off the ground with the casting of Scarlett Johansson in the lead role and Snow White and the Huntsman’s Rupert Sanders coming on board to direct. The ambitious project has just brought a new writer into the fold, as DreamWorks has tapped Straight Outta Compton scribe Jonathan Herman to write the latest draft of the screenplay.

There’s a bunch of Disney release date news today, as the studio has announced when we’ll see the ‘Ghost in the Shell’ movie starring Scarlett Johansson, that ‘Pete’s Dragon’ remake, and a new date for Jon Favreau’s live-action take on ‘The Jungle Book.’ We know, it’s a lot to process. We’re here to help.

Back in October, it was reported that ‘Lucy’ and ‘Avengers 2’ star Scarlett Johansson had been offered $10 million to anchor the new, American (and live-action) version of the classic Japanese anime ‘Ghost in the Shell.’ It took a while for Johansson to decide (“Hm, do I really want $10 million? This is a tough one!”), but Variety now says she’s made up her mind: Johansson will star in the new ‘Ghost’ for director Rupert Sanders.

The last time we heard from DreamWorks' planned live action adaptation of 'Ghost in the Shell,' the studio was courting 'The Wolf of Wall Street' star Margot Robbie for the lead role. Now, things have changed and a bigger name has been thrown into the mix: Scarlett Johansson, aka, Black Widow, aka, 'Lucy,' aka, the most bankable female action star of the moment.

While Warner Bros. still struggles to get its live-action 'Akira' remake up and running, DreamWorks is moving ahead on an adaptation of another classic anime, 'Ghost in the Shell.' Director Rupert Sanders ('Snow White and the Huntsman') is developing the project with 'Wolf of Wall Street' star Margot Robbie in talks to play the lead.

Though Magna (Japanese comic books) have long been a solid cult industry in America, Hollywood has had no luck so far in bringing those comics to the big screen (for instance: 'Akira'). But that luck may have changed as DreamWorks now has plans to adapt 'Ghost in the Shell' for the big screen, with 'Snow White and the Huntsman' director Rupert Sanders behind the helm.