While purists are determined to oust Scartell Johansson from playing Motoko Kusanagi in the live-action movie adaptation of Masamuna Shirow's manga "Ghost in the Shell," new reports claim that DreamWorks is still pushing throught with the casting.
In fact Forbes reported that Paramount is going to co-finance the movie together with DreamWorks.
"In this arrangement, Paramount will handle the international release of the movie whereas DreamWorks will release it in the US via their deal with Disney," the publication reported.
Masamune Shirow's "Ghost in Shell" live action movie adaptation is reportedly scheduled for a March 31, 2017 release date. It will be directed by Rupert Sanders of "Snow White and the Huntsman," while William Wheeler will pen the script. The movie is reportedly going to start production Q1 of 2016.
According to Deadline DreamWorks offered Scarlett Johansson a hefty sum of $10 million just to take on the role following her successful portrayal of Black Widow in Marvel's "Avengers," Iron Man" and "Captain America" franchises.
Loyal fans of the manga however, feel that Asian actress Rinko Kikuchi is more fitted for the role of the cyborg assassin, Major Motoko Kusanagi.
And while the petition to recast Scarlett Johansson goal was only to reach 14,000 votes it has now reached 53,442 and counting.
Fans believe that there's white-washing according to Huffington Post, thus they are asking the giant studio to reconsider the casting as posted in Care2 Petitions.
The petition reads:
"Dear DreamWorks Studios,
As moviegoers and fans of the original 1995 Ghost in the Shell film, we respectfully request that you cast an actor of Asian descent for the lead role of Motoko Kusanagi rather than Scarlett Johansson.
The American film industry is already unfriendly to Asian actors without roles in major films being changed to exclude them. One recent survey found that in 2013, Asian characters made up only 4.4% of speaking roles in top-grossing Hollywood films.
Please use this opportunity to help talented Asian-American actors receive recognition for their work. There are so few opportunities for them to shine in Hollywood, and this film would be a perfect platform."
