Helmed by “Snow White and the Huntsman” director Rupert Sanders, the production of the upcoming live-action movie adaption of the 1995 Japanese anime and manga classic, “Ghost In The Shell” (攻殻機動隊 Kōkaku Kidōtai) has moved from New Zealand to Hong Kong recently.
According to Kotaku, the film cast was spotted filming at the streets of Pak Hoi. The film’s leads, “Captain America: Civil War” actress Scarlett Johansson and Danish actor Pilou Asbæk, were seen in full character costumes.
The upcoming “Westernised” adaption of “Ghost In The Shell” centres around Public Security Section 9, a fictional counter-cyberterrorist organisation led by main protagonist “The Major” Motoko Kusanagi (played by Scarlett Johansson) and Batou, Kusanagi’s 2nd in command. The team must face a new enemy who will stop at nothing to sabotage Hanka Robotic’s Artificial Intelligence technology.
It was previously reported that the film was highly criticised for “whitewashing” Asian characters. Like Johansson, Asbæk is also a white actor who is playing a Japanese character and though he looks almost identical to his anime counterpart Batou, fans are still not happy with the casting decisions.
Besides Johansson and Asbæk, the actress’ stunt double and other supporting actors were seen roaming around the movie set. Screen Rant reported that the anime-turned-movie will feature a predominantly Japanese supporting cast.
Check out the gallery below to have an idea of what the film will be like:
Slated for release on 31st March 2017, “Ghost In The Shell” also stars Michael Pitt as Kuze The Laughing Man, Juliette Binoche as Dr. Ouelet, Takeshi Kitano as Daisuke Aramaki, and Chin Han, Danusia Samal, Yutaka Izumihara, and Tuwanda Manyimo as various members of Section 9.
Sources: Kotaku, Screen Rant.
