‘Ghost in the Shell’ originator likes Johansson casting
In a blog post on Monday, I wrote about the new live-action version of the Japanese manga/anime "The Ghost in the Shell." I mentioned the fact that the casting of Scarlett Johansson has caused many to question Hollywood's practice of "whitewashing," that is using white actors in roles originally designed for non-white actors.
The controversy, which involves a number of Hollywood films, was covered pretty well in this 2016 Hollywood Reporter story.
What I did not do is include comments from anyone personally involved. Here, for example is Johansson herself, on "Good Morning America":
"I think this character is living a very unique experience, in that she is human brain in an entirely machinate body," Johansson said. "She's essentially identityless." And, she added, "I thought to myself … I can play this character. I would never attempt to play a person of a different race, obviously."
Here's what the new version's director, Rupert Sanders, had to say to The Evening Standard: "We’re not making a small Japanese version of the film," he said. "We’re making a global version of the film, you need a figurehead movie star. The world basically cast Scarlett Johansson, she’s the person people want to see in this role.”
And, finally, the director of the original, 1995 animated version told the New York Times that he had no problems with the new version. In fact, Mamoru Oshii defended the casting of Johansson, and he gave a pretty good reason why.
“The Major (Johansson's character) has a Japanese name, but she’s a cyborg,” he said. “Her age and background are unknown, just as much as her nationality. In Japan, the characters in manga and anime are normally ‘stateless,’ so I have nothing against Scarlett playing the Major. In fact, I personally think she fits the image of the movie, and couldn’t have imagined a better casting.”
The criticisms aren't likely to stop anytime soon, but that at least is an added perspective from someone personally involved with the original production. In any event, Johansson had what is likely the best last word — for now.
"Any question of my casting will hopefully be answered by, you know, by audiences when they see the film," she told "Good Morning America."
Below: The YouTube video below compares scenes from the 1995 anime version of "The Ghost in the Shell" with scenes from the trailer for the new live-action version.