Ghost in the Shell (2017)

[torgospizza]

Am I the only one that didn't know ScarJo was playing Motoko Kusanagi? Thoughts?

http://www.ew.com/article/2016/04/14/ghost-shell-scarlett-johansson-photo

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1219827/

[Hector]

I love ScarJo...but bad casting...kinda cringe worthy...

Had they changed the Motoko Kusanagi character to a non Japanese, fine...but ScarJo as Motoko Kusanagi?

This is worse than a black Johnny Storm...

[torgospizza]

Kaede Aono played her onstage and looked great. There's a pic of her here. It always annoys me when film companies do this sort of thing. A few years back, the BBC was going to adapt Neil Gaiman's Anansi Boys and were going to cast white guys. That makes no sense, as Anansi is an African deity. At any rate, there are more than enough Asian-American actresses that are fluent in English that would be great as Kusanagi, but they're willing to sacrifice that for those extra seats ScarJo will fill. I guarantee Hot Toys will release a figure of her, though--no question.

[The Bat]

Personally, I love Ghost in the Shell and I'm happy with Scarlett being cast in the part. For some strange reason I can't quite fathom...a lot of Anime characters seem to be draw to resemble white people instead of Japanese. Not sure why??

[torgospizza]

...a lot of Anime characters seem to be draw to resemble white people instead of Japanese.

Honestly, I think it's for the same reason there are so many blondes and redheads in our comics--it helps tell the characters apart better. If everyone was between 5'2" and 5'10" and had black hair and brown eyes, it would make for a confusing page in some situations. That's why you have wild haircuts and blue hair in manga, as well. Keep in mind, I'm not a manga authority at all and might be wrong.

[The Bat]

First still from the movie...I like!

[Blue Meanie]

I think this was reported about 4 months ago...BTW, have you seen what the Dark Horse comic book has been going for recently

One of the very last Japanese Animation movies that I can stomach. After that movie the whole Japanese Animation industry just went down hill. Great movie and I think Johansen will do the part justice. I will definitely see this when it comes out.

[Hector]

I hear the filmmakers were thinking on digitizing Johansson to try and make her more Asian looking.

Boy, we are suddenly back to the Charlie Chan days.

I guess if it's okay for her to be Motoko Kusanagi...then I'm sure it's going to be okay for a Japanese actress to play Supergirl on the big screen someday...

[Hector]

Michael B Jordan as Johnny Storm received a lot of flack...surprised not getting the same reaction with Johansson.

[torgospizza]

Michael B Jordan as Johnny Storm received a lot of flack...surprised not getting the same reaction with Johansson.

I think it is in certain circles. A lot of weeaboos are pretty bent out pf shape about it. Some people always are, though--I read an article the other day complaining they cast a white dude as Iron Fist. Poe's Law is real.

[sprytel]

It may only make sense in my head, but I feel differently when it is an American adaptation of a non-American property. I can forgive "The Ring", "Oldboy", or "The Departed" for non-Asian casting... in the same way I have no problem with Japanese Spider-man. Sometimes it works better than others (looking at you, Spike Lee), but I do not think it is culturally offensive.

Now, if ScarJo's character is supposed to be Japanese in this new adaptation, that would be problematic. Sort of like that Egypt movie that came out a few months back with all white actors. Or if they do some handwaving crap like "it is set in Tokyo, and she has a Japanese name, but... see... she was adopted..." But I am assuming they are going "Magnificent Seven" and just retelling the story with an American perspective,

[Hector]

It may only make sense in my head, but I feel differently when it is an American adaptation of a non-American property. I can forgive "The Ring", "Oldboy", or "The Departed" for non-Asian casting... in the same way I have no problem with Japanese Spider-man. Sometimes it works better than others (looking at you, Spike Lee), but I do not think it is culturally offensive.

Now, if ScarJo's character is supposed to be Japanese in this new adaptation, that would be problematic. Sort of like that Egypt movie that came out a few months back with all white actors. Or if they do some handwaving crap like "it is set in Tokyo, and she has a Japanese name, but... see... she was adopted..." But I am assuming they are going "Magnificent Seven" and just retelling the story with an American perspective,

Ok, fair enough...the adoption aspect would work, nice post, thanks...

[Hector]

I think it is in certain circles. A lot of weeaboos are pretty bent out pf shape about it. Some people always are, though--I read an article the other day complaining they cast a white dude as Iron Fist. Poe's Law is real.

I don't see the problem with Danny Rand being a blonde dude...that's how the character was originally conceived...the whole point of a Westerner becoming the chi infused Iron Fist...works for me. Besides, Shang-Chi exists in that same universe, just as long as Shang-Chi is not portrayed by Adam Sandler one day in the near future, it's all good...or otherwise, all hell is going to brake loose, lol.

[thunderbolt]

^^^ I'd be pretty upset about Sandler getting anywhere near the MCU.

[Hector]

Well, didn't even know this was coming...great timing for this very thread...

http://io9.gizmodo.com/say-hello-to-kenan-kong-the-new-chinese-superman-1771646299

If it's okay for the Ghost in the Shell...it's more than okay for this as well...