Alas, the first footage has finally arrived to promote the Paramount/Dreamworks release of the new sci-fi cyberpunk fantasy, Ghost In The Shell which opens in theaters on March 2017. And so with it, if you’ve been tuning in, returns the elephant in the room – the unnerving contention surrounding the casting with respect to its roots as a Japanese anime, and the ensuing topic of whitewashing Asian characters as per the usual practice of Hollywood.
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.
The film takes its cues from Shirow Masumane’s late 80’s manga and subsequent groundbreaking feature anime from director Oshii Mamoru. Its success led to a raft of spin-off amime shows, mangas and OVAs thereafter, including Kamiyama Kenji’s 2002-2005 animated story arc, Stand Alone Complex; Sander’s film centers itself loosely in that arc as further hinted by the addition of actor Michael Pitt who plays elite hacker and corporate terrorist, The Laughing Man.
