Live action Ghost in the Shell adds Rila Fukushima

Last Updated on July 31, 2021

If a character was first introduced through art on a paneled page, the odds that Japanese actress Rila Fukushima might end up playing them is increasing. You might know Fukushima from her role as Yukio in the cinematic comic book adaptation THE WOLVERINE, or from her fifteen episode appearance as Tatsu Yamashiro / Katana on the comic book adaptation TV show Arrow. Now she has joined the cast of the manga adaptation GHOST IN THE SHELL. 

GHOST IN THE SHELL is currently in production with Rupert Sanders at the helm, working from a screenplay by Jonathan Herman and Jamie Moss.

The film stars Scarlett Johansson as 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.

Co-starring with Johansson and Fukushima are Michael Pitt, Pilou Asbæk, Juliette Binoche, Beat Takeshi, Kaori Momoi, Chin Han, Danusia Samal, Lasarus Ratuere, Yutaka Izumihara, and Tuwanda Manyimo.

Given that the character of Major has been Japanese up to this point, many are now wondering why Fukushima isn't playing the role instead of Johansson, but the reason is: Johansson played Lucy in a movie called LUCY that made over $450 million at the global box office.

GHOST IN THE SHELL is scheduled to reach theatres on March 31, 2017.