Ghost in the Shell (2017 film)

Lore & Background

Set in an ultramodern near future where the line between humans and robots is blurring, the plot follows Major Mira Killian, a cyborg supersoldier who attempts to stop a mysterious terrorist and investigate her past. Filming took place in New Zealand at Stone Street Studios from February to June 2016, with additional filming in Hong Kong that June. The film premiered in Tokyo on March 16, 2017, and was released in the United States on March 31, 2017, in IMAX, 3D, IMAX 3D, and 4DX.

Reader's Guide

Ghost in the Shell received mixed reviews, with praise for its cast performances, visual style, action sequences, cinematography and musical score, but criticism for its plot and lack of character development. The casting of non-Asian actors (particularly Johansson in the lead role) drew accusations of racism and whitewashing in the United States, although Mamoru Oshii, the director of the original anime film, stated that there was no basis for this accusation. The film grossed $169.8 million worldwide against a production budget of $110 million. It was not screened for critics before its release.

Did You Know?

• Margot Robbie was in early talks for the lead role before Scarlett Johansson was cast.
• The score was recorded at Synchron Stage Vienna in Austria.
• In the Japanese dub, Atsuko Tanaka, Akio Ōtsuka and Kōichi Yamadera reprise their roles from the Mamoru Oshii films and Stand Alone Complex series.
• The film was originally scheduled for release on April 14, 2017, by Paramount Pictures before being moved to March 31, 2017.