Ghost in the Shell, set to premiere at the end of March, put out its first trailer today, giving fans of the manga and anime their first look at The Major in live action.
Scarlett Johansson stars as Maj. Motoko Kusanagi, a casting decision that has raised some eyebrows since it was announced as she is outwardly not Japanese in her appearance at all.
Ghost in the Shell still barrels ahead with full Japan imagery, including ScarJo brooding over a teeming technological Tokyo-scape before blasting through a plate-glass window to save the first of many days.
Mamoru Oshii, the original director of the Ghost in the Shell anime has said Johansson’s performance is better than he expected. Whether the live-action Ghost in the Shell adaptation contributes more than it takes from the franchise remains to be seen. It premieres March 31.
