News of a live action adaptation of cult-anime Ghost In The Shell hit the interwebs in September last year. Initially, it was Margot Robbie, the star who proved her acting chops in last year's Wolf of Wall Street who was chosen as the top contender in playing the lead role. Negotiations went on with the actress in the following months but the talks eventually fell out with the star. News followed that Robbie signed on to Warner Bros. Suicide Squad, playing the character of Joker's girlfriend, Harley Quinn.
Soon after, reports that Dreamworks had offered the role of the highly capable cyber-soldier to Scarlett Johansson. It didn't come as a surprise as Johansson has already established herself in action films playing Black Widow in the Avengers and more recently with last year's action sci-fi "Lucy".
An exclusive from Variety reports that Scarlett has made things official and will be starring lead role in Ghost In The Shell under Dreamworks.
Plans for the movie started with Dreamworks principal Steven Spielberg, a huge fan of the original Japanese anime bought the rights to the film for a remake back in 2009.
Rupert Sanders of Snow White and The Huntsman is on board the project as director with Bill Wheeler as scriptwriter.
Ghost In The Shell follows the story of lead character Motoko Kusanagi, a cyborg leading a group of covert operatives that specializes in digital warfare.
Originally a Japanese manga from 1989 by creator Masamune Shirow, Ghost In The Shell premiered in 1995 at the Tokyo International Film Festival. The animated film was directed by Mamoru Oshii.
Scarlett Johansson will be seen next in "Avengers: Age of Ultron" reprising her role as Black Widow. The movie is slated for release in May.
Stay tuned to Franchise Herald for more news and updates on the live action adaptation of Ghost In The Shell.
