‘Ghost In the Shell’ Producer Steven Paul Finally Addresses Scarlett Johansson Casting Controversy

‘Ghost In the Shell’ producer Steven Paul finally addressed the whitewashing controversy over casting Scarlett Johansson in the lead role as the Major.

According to i09.com, Rupert Sander’s upcoming live-action adaptation of the highly popular Japanese manga of the same name has been the topic of much whitewashing controversy since it was announced that American actress Scarlett Johansson will be portraying lead protagonist Major Makoto Kusanagi.

During an interview with Buzzfeed, producer Steven Paul defended the casting choice. Paul said, There [are] all sorts of people and nationalities in the world in Ghost in the Shell. We’re utilizing people from all over the world. … There’s Japanese in it. There’s Chinese in it. There’s English in it. There’s Americans in it.”

He added, “I don’t think it was just a Japanese story. Ghost in the Shell was a very international story, and it wasn’t just focused on Japanese; it was supposed to be an entire world. That’s why I say the international approach is, I think, the right approach to it.”

Despite Paul’s explanation of adapting the manga to become an “international story”, rumors continue to emerge that the production team attempted to utilize special effects to make Johansson look more Asian. Paramount Pictures has since denied these claims.

According to another article on Forbes, Paul also attempted to clarify that Johansson was not technically playing Makoto herself but a character named The Major, based on Makoto.

The film does, however, has its share of supporters. Masamune Shirow, the original manga’s creator,  and Japanese publishing company Kodansha expressed their support for the film despite the controversy.

Meanwhile in Japan, fans seem to be thrilled about Johansson’s involvement in the film.

John Berra, co-editor-in-chief of VCinema and editor of the ‘Directory of World Cinema: Japan’ books, admitted that the Japanese had been more “level-headed” about the news compared to Westerners. According to the Guardian, Berra said, They’re thrilled that Johansson is playing an iconic manga character and believe that her presence will only help to further the popularity of the series.”

He added that the amalgam Western cinema with Japanese cinema was largely welcome in the country. He said, “Any remake must show respect for the source material through the appointment of the right talent and sufficient production values so that the original is not disgraced.” 

‘Ghost In the Shell’ is an upcoming action and science-fiction film directed by Rupert Sanders. It stars Scarlett Johansson, Juliette Binoche, Chin Han, Michael Pitt, Rila Fukushima, Michael Wincott, and Kaori Momoi among others. It is produced under Paramount Pictures, Seaside Entertainment, Grosvenor Park Productions, and DreamWorks SKG.

It is scheduled to premiere in the United States on March 31, 2017.