Nerdonomicon: (White) Ghost in the Shell

When I heard that a live-action version of Masamune Shirow's manga masterpiece "Ghost in the Shell" was in the works, my first thought was "somebody loves me." (more information on the project here). Later when I learned that the company behind this move was none other than Dreamworks, my thoughts were confirmed. But somebody didn't just love me, they loved the universe.

What better setting and storyline for a major motion picture than the ultra-industrialized, hi-tech future of Nihama Prefecture depicted in the 1995 anime film? And what better role for an up and coming action-oriented Asian actress than that of Section 9 Major, Motoko Kusanagi? For a self-confessed science-fiction-mega-geek and hopeless Japanophile it seemed as if the planets had finally fallen into alignment.

(above) Major Motoko Kusanagi, the protagonist from Ghost in the Shell.

Then I was told that Scarlett Johanssen was being sought for the leading female role.

Needless to say, I was a bit confused.

To be fair, there are clear merits to casting SJ in the role of a cybernetic ninja badass. Her work as Black Widow in Marvel's "Avengers" and "Winter Soldier" (as well as her performance as a hyper-evolved human in the more recent "Lucy" by Universal Pictures) certainly proves that she is capable of filling Kusanagi's jika-tabi.

(above) Scarlett Johansson as Natalia Romanava (aka "Black Widow") and "Lucy".

SJ is easy on the eyes, comes across as the perfect combination of sexy and tough, and brings a cold, detached, no-nonsense manner to her action scenes; The exact blend of aloof charm and casually inflicted violence that helped make Kusanagi a beloved anime icon. Dye Scarlett's hair black, give her a pair of chrome-iris contacts, and she even looks like drawings of Kusanagi.

(above) A quick PS edited comparison of Motoko Kusanagi and Scarlett Johansson.

On the other hand there are more than a few Asian actresses who would have been excellent choices and who are (after all)... Asian. Hollywood has a long history of whitewashing Asian roles and the argument could be made that by casting Johansson, the filmmakers are slighting not only the story's creator but fans of the GITS world as well. Wouldn't we rather see a living, breathing Kusanagi who is Japanese in more than just her name?

I've taken the liberty of posting shots of three Asian actresses whom I think would make excellent choices for the role of Kusanagi (below). There is still a lot of debate going on over the issue and I don't think that, at this early stage, the producers at Dreamworks have made their final decision. Either way, it's very encouraging to see a Japanese animation made into a live action film by one of the world's largest and most successful studios.

Fingers crossed that they don't screw it up.