Ghost in the Shell, starring Scarlett Johansson, sets 2017 release date

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

Earlier this month we learned that Dreamworks' live-action adaptation of the popular anime GHOST IN THE SHELL had found its star in Scarlett Johansson, and now we've learned when we can expect the film to hit cinemas.

Dreamworks has set an April 14, 2017 release for Rupert Sanders' (SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN) adaptation of GHOST IN THE SHELL. Avi Arad and Steven Paul are producing the film. The script was penned by Bill Wheeler, and Steven Spielberg has been said to be involved in some capacity.

I've never gotten around to checking out the original anime so I can't say one way or the other how I feel about Scarlett Johansson's involvement, but I've read a lot of fanboy/fangirl hate for this casting decision. I'd be more concerned about how Sanders will handle the adaptation as I didn't care a bit for his SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN.

Here's the synopsis of the 1995 film:

2029. A female government cyber agent and the Internal Bureau of Investigations are hot on the trail of The Puppet Master – a computer virus capable of invading cybernetic brains and altering its victim's memory. Created by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and codenamed Project 2501, this 'hacker' is actually a prototype virtual agent which has now defied its makers by seeking asylum within a new host body outside of the electronic net. Now the two agencies must maneuver against each another in a violent, high-tech race to capture the omnipresent entity.

So there you have it: an April 14, 2017 release date set for GHOST IN THE SHELL, which puts the film arriving one week after Guillermo del Toro's PACIFIC RIM 2. More on GHOST IN THE SHELL as we hear it.