# Ghost in the Shell

> 2017 film directed by Rupert Sanders

**Wikidata**: [Q22575835](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q22575835)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_in_the_Shell_(2017_film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ghost-in-the-shell

## Summary
Ghost in the Shell is a 2017 science fiction action film directed by Rupert Sanders, based on the Japanese manga of the same name. It stars Scarlett Johansson as Major, a cyborg counter-cyberterrorist operative. The film explores themes of identity, consciousness, and the integration of humans with technology in a dystopian future.

## Key Facts
- Directed by Rupert Sanders and released on March 30, 2017.
- Based on the Japanese manga by Masamune Shirow.
- Stars Scarlett Johansson as Major Mira Killian / Motoko Kusanagi.
- Production companies include Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Pictures.
- Distributed by Paramount Pictures in the United States.
- Budget was $110 million; box office gross was $169,801,921 worldwide.
- Runtime is 107 minutes.
- Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence, suggestive content, and some disturbing images.
- IMDb ID: tt1219827; Rotten Tomatoes score: 43% critics, 52/100 Metacritic.
- Genre classifications include cyberpunk, science fiction, action, and crime film.
- Country of origin: United States.
- Language: English.

## FAQs
**What is the plot of Ghost in the Shell?**
The film follows Major Mira Killian, a cyborg counter-cyberterrorist operative who discovers her past is not what she was told. As she investigates a series of murders, she uncovers a conspiracy involving her own creation and the corporation that built her, leading her to question her identity and purpose.

**Who are the main cast members?**
Scarlett Johansson stars as Major Mira Killian, with supporting roles by Pilou Asbæk as Batou, Takeshi Kitano as Chief Daisuke Aramaki, Juliette Binoche as Dr. Ouelet, and Michael Pitt as Kuze. The cast also includes Peter Ferdinando, Chin Han, and Lasarus Ratuere.

**How does the 2017 film differ from the original manga and anime?**
While the 2017 film adapts the core premise of the original 1989 manga and 1995 anime film, it takes creative liberties with the story, characters, and setting. The film focuses more on Major's origin story and her quest for identity, whereas the original works explored broader philosophical themes about consciousness and the nature of humanity in a cybernetic world.

**What are the main themes explored in the film?**
The film explores themes of identity, consciousness, memory, and the relationship between humans and technology. It questions what it means to be human in a world where the line between man and machine is blurred, and examines the ethical implications of cybernetic enhancement and artificial intelligence.

**Was the film controversial?**
Yes, the film faced controversy over "whitewashing" due to casting Scarlett Johansson, a white actress, in the lead role of Major, who is Japanese in the original source material. This sparked debates about representation and diversity in Hollywood adaptations of Asian properties.

## Why It Matters
Ghost in the Shell matters as a major Hollywood adaptation of a seminal Japanese cyberpunk franchise, bringing its themes and aesthetics to a global mainstream audience. It represents a significant investment in science fiction cinema, with a large budget and star-studded cast, demonstrating Hollywood's continued interest in adapting influential anime and manga properties. The film's exploration of identity, consciousness, and the human-machine interface remains relevant in an era of rapid technological advancement and increasing integration of technology into daily life. Despite its controversies, it sparked important conversations about representation in media and the challenges of adapting culturally specific works for international audiences.

## Notable For
- Major Hollywood adaptation of a classic Japanese cyberpunk manga and anime franchise.
- Large-scale production with a $110 million budget, one of the most expensive films with a female lead at the time.
- Star-studded cast led by Scarlett Johansson in the role of Major.
- Exploration of philosophical themes about identity, consciousness, and the nature of humanity in a cybernetic world.
- Controversial casting choices that sparked debates about whitewashing and representation in Hollywood.
- Visual effects and production design that brought the cyberpunk aesthetic to life on a grand scale.
- Soundtrack featuring contributions from artists like Clint Mansell and Lorne Balfe.
- Part of a trend of Hollywood adapting popular anime and manga properties for Western audiences.

## Body
### Production and Development
Ghost in the Shell was developed as a live-action adaptation of Masamune Shirow's 1989 Japanese manga, which had previously been adapted into several anime films and series, most notably Mamoru Oshii's 1995 animated film. The project was initiated by DreamWorks Pictures, with Steven Spielberg expressing interest in adapting the property. Rupert Sanders, known for directing Snow White and the Huntsman, was hired to direct the film. The screenplay was written by Jamie Moss, William Wheeler, and Ehren Kruger, with the story focusing on Major's origin and her quest to uncover the truth about her past.

### Cast and Characters
The film features an international cast led by Scarlett Johansson as Major Mira Killian, a cyborg counter-cyberterrorist operative. Johansson's casting was controversial due to the character's Japanese origins in the source material. Pilou Asbæk plays Batou, Major's partner and fellow operative. Takeshi Kitano, a renowned Japanese actor and filmmaker, portrays Chief Daisuke Aramaki, Major's superior. Juliette Binoche plays Dr. Ouelet, the scientist responsible for Major's creation, while Michael Pitt takes on the role of Kuze, the film's antagonist. The supporting cast includes Peter Ferdinando as Cutter, the CEO of Hanka Robotics, and Chin Han as Togusa.

### Visual Effects and Production Design
The film's visual effects were created by several leading VFX studios, including Weta Digital, MPC, and Double Negative. The production design aimed to capture the cyberpunk aesthetic of the original works, with a blend of futuristic technology and gritty urban environments. The film's depiction of the fictional Japanese city of Niihama (New Port City) was a combination of practical sets and extensive CGI, creating a dense, neon-lit metropolis that reflects the themes of technological saturation and social decay. The design of Major's cybernetic body and the various robotic enhancements featured in the film were created to be both visually striking and plausible within the film's science fiction context.

### Themes and Philosophical Underpinnings
Ghost in the Shell explores several philosophical themes, primarily centered around the nature of identity and consciousness in a world where the boundaries between human and machine are increasingly blurred. The film questions what it means to be human when one's body and even memories can be artificial. It also examines the ethical implications of cybernetic enhancement and the potential for abuse of power by those who control the technology. The concept of the "ghost" (soul or consciousness) and the "shell" (physical body) is central to the narrative, as Major struggles to understand her own existence and the truth about her origins.

### Reception and Controversy
Upon its release, Ghost in the Shell received mixed reviews from critics, with praise for its visual style and action sequences but criticism for its handling of the source material's complex themes and its perceived lack of depth. The film's box office performance was considered underwhelming, grossing $169.8 million worldwide against a $110 million budget. However, the most significant controversy surrounding the film was the casting of Scarlett Johansson in the lead role, which many saw as an example of Hollywood "whitewashing" – casting white actors in roles originally written for Asian characters. This controversy sparked broader discussions about representation and diversity in Hollywood and the challenges of adapting culturally specific works for international audiences.

### Cultural Impact and Legacy
Despite its mixed reception, Ghost in the Shell has had a lasting impact on the science fiction genre and popular culture. It has contributed to the ongoing conversation about the representation of Asian stories and characters in Western media and has influenced subsequent cyberpunk and science fiction films. The film's visual style and action sequences have been noted for their influence on other works in the genre. Additionally, it has helped to introduce the Ghost in the Shell franchise to a wider global audience, potentially leading to increased interest in the original manga and anime adaptations. The film's exploration of themes related to technology, identity, and consciousness continues to resonate in an era of rapid technological advancement and increasing integration of digital technology into daily life.

## References

1. IMDb
2. FilmAffinity
3. AlloCiné
4. [Ghost in the Shell. IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1219827/fullcredits?ref_=tt_ov_st_sm)
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6. [Ghost In The Shell. AlloCiné](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=226739.html)
7. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1219827/fullcredits?ref_=tt_ov_st_sm)
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14. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1219827/releaseinfo)
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16. [Source](http://nmhh.hu/dokumentum/198182/terjesztett_filmalkotasok_art_filmek_nyilvantartasa.xlsx)
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