There’s been a lot of back and forth over whether Ghost in the Shell, a film adapted from a famous manga and anime property, would work under Western direction. There’s been even more of a fuss over the lack of a Japanese lead actress and Scarlett Johansson being cast as the lead, Major Kusanagi. I don’t think I could speak to any of that, since I know very little about the original property myself, but I could see how they could’ve had anyone else in Johansson’s role.
Since the very end of this Super Bowl teaser literally pulls away at Johansson’s face, this role could’ve been filled with literally anyone. Though I’m sure Johansson will do a great job, and this film looks pretty neat, I can only think of what could’ve been.
Ghost in the Shell opens March 28th. I’ll be keeping an eye on it.
