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The Trailer for Ghost in the Shell Probably Won’t Alleviate Concerns About Scarlett Johansson’s Whitewashing

Ghost in the Shell has had a long development process. The big-screen adaptation of Masamune Shirow’s beloved manga of the same name was first acquired by Steven Spielberg and Dreamworks in 2008, with various rumored directors, writers, and actors coming and going in the years since. But finally, it looks like the project has come together. New co-financier Paramount has unveiled the debut trailer ahead of the film’s March 2017 release, giving us a first look at Scarlett Johansson in action.

Ghost in the Shell centers on the Major (Johansson), a counterterrorist field commander who is tasked with taking down an enemy determined to harm the artificial intelligence technology of the fringe organization Hanka Robotic. The film is expected to be faithful to Shirow’s original work, with young director Rupert Sanders (Snow White and the Huntsman) directing and Oscar nominee Jonathan Herman co-writing the adaptation.

The film has also been marked by controversy for years, dating back to when Margot Robbie was rumored to be in contention for the lead role in 2014. Johansson’s casting has been held up as a classic example of whitewashing, given that the original character is Japanese in name and appearance. It doesn’t help that there have been reports alleging that the production team sought out and tested visual effects for the express purpose of altering Johansson’s appearance in order for her to appear to be of Asian descent. While Paramount Pictures has denied it, this first look at Ghost in the Shell is unlikely to assuage those concerns.