Scarlett Johansson’s “Ghost in the Shell” moves to Paramount

PanARMENIAN.Net - DreamWorks’ “Ghost in the Shell”, starring Scarlett Johansson, has shifted from Disney to Paramount, keeping its March 31, 2017, wide release date, Variety reports.

Paramount is also co-financing the film. Disney had previously announced the March 31 release date.

Pilou Asbæk stars in the adaptation of the popular Japanese franchise along with Johansson. Johansson will play a member of the Japanese National Public Safety Commission’s covert ops unit attempting to bring down a nefarious computer hacker.

“Snow White and the Huntsman” helmer Rupert Sanders will direct the movie. Avi Arad and Steven Paul are producing, while Michael Costigan, Jeffrey Silver, Tetsu Fujimura and Mitsuhisa Ishikawa are exec producing.

“Ghost in the Shell” was previously adapted as an animated feature in 1995, but this will mark its first live-action portrayal. The success of the manga series has also led to a TV series and a series of video games.