Scarlett Johansson in Live-Action 'Ghost in the Shell'

[Chance]

Via Variety (http://variety.com/2015/film/news/scarlett-johansson-signs-on-to-star-in-dreamworks-ghost-in-the-shell-exclusive-1201320788/).

The sci-fi fanboy in me was murdered long ago, so I'm not worried about being let down.

[Edwin]

Oh god, not another white washing. Have we learned nothing from M. Night Shalamabamha's Avatar? Talk about wasted opportunity.

http://www.flicksandbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Rinko-Kikuchi-pacific-rim.jpg

I swear, if they cast Channing Tatum as Batou...

[JHC]

Interesting. "Lucy" might have been the first movie I paid attention to her. Opinions vary widely on that flick but I liked it. Of course when I saw it at 38K feet over the Atlantic I was about 3 scotches into the flight. I remember it fondly.

[Wondering Beard]

Via Variety (http://variety.com/2015/film/news/scarlett-johansson-signs-on-to-star-in-dreamworks-ghost-in-the-shell-exclusive-1201320788/).

The sci-fi fanboy in me was murdered long ago, so I'm not worried about being let down.

No, Just no.

One just doesn't replace The Major with Scarlet Johansson

[Wondering Beard]

Interesting. "Lucy" might have been the first movie I paid attention to her. Opinions vary widely on that flick but I liked it. Of course when I saw it at 38K feet over the Atlantic I was about 3 scotches into the flight. I remember it fondly.

I was at the same height, over the same ocean, and one bottle of Saint Emilion deep when I saw it ... Its worse than waterboarding.

[Wondering Beard]

Oh god, not another white washing. Have we learned nothing from M. Night Shalamabamha's Avatar? Talk about wasted opportunity.

http://www.flicksandbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Rinko-Kikuchi-pacific-rim.jpg



Now we're talking

[RoyGBiv]

No, Just no.

One just doesn't replace The Major with Scarlet Johansson

Like Jack Reacher does not equal Tom Cruise?

[Default.mp3]

Never seen Lucy, but Johansson as Black Widow never impressed me. I'm a big enough fan of GitS to have a PVC figure of Kusanagi, so I'm tepidly intrigued by the premise, but I wonder how they'll adapt the story (can't imagine Americans taking a shine to a main character with a name like Motoko Kusanagi). This isn't half as brilliant a casting as the ill-fated Cowboy Bebop with Keanu Reeves.

[Wondering Beard]

Like Jack Reacher does not equal Tom Cruise?

Yup.

[JHC]

I was at the same height, over the same ocean, and one bottle of Saint Emilion deep when I saw it ... Its worse than waterboarding.

LOL I need to find some of that wine. I know I never have.

"The Drop" and "Most Wanted Man" were better.

[Wondering Beard]

This isn't half as brilliant a casting as the ill-fated Cowboy Bebop with Keanu Reeves.

They're doing that?!?!?!?!

Well, it's a little better than that using Johanssen for The Major for me, but not by much.

Wait, that's Reeves to play Spike?

[Wondering Beard]

LOL I need to find some of that wine. I know I never have.

"The Drop" and "Most Wanted Man" were better.

Haven't seen either but they look interesting.

I wonder what they''ll be playing when I take the reverse trip in a few days and if they'll have the same wine.

[saints75]

As a fan of the show, Don't screw it up! Ghost in the Shell is great. I've seen all the episodes. I don't think the movie will be as good as the animated show. If it looks good, I'll go and see it.

[Totem Polar]

Like Jack Reacher does not equal Tom Cruise?

Tom was an exact cross between the literary Jack Reacher and a Keebler elf in that movie. In all, not bad though.

[JHC]

Haven't seen either but they look interesting.

I wonder what they''ll be playing when I take the reverse trip in a few days and if they'll have the same wine.

Emirates gives you about 50-75 recent movies to pick from. Pretty incredible airline. Plus the free drinks. I never thought to ask about the wine though. ;)

[Default.mp3]

They're doing that?!?!?!?!

Well, it's a little better than that using Johanssen for The Major for me, but not by much.

Wait, that's Reeves to play Spike?

Nah, not anymore; project is dead in the water for now. But yeah, I thought Reeves would have played a pretty damn good Spiegel; it's not like Spiegel was really an emotive character, so I think it would have paired very well with Reeves's stoneface.

[Wondering Beard]

Emirates gives you about 50-75 recent movies to pick from. Pretty incredible airline. Plus the free drinks. I never thought to ask about the wine though. ;)

That's really nice. I'll have to look them over for my next trip.

[Wondering Beard]

Nah, not anymore; project is dead in the water for now. But yeah, I thought Reeves would have played a pretty damn good Spiegel; it's not like Spiegel was really an emotive character, so I think it would have paired very well with Reeves's stoneface.

A little too stone faced for me. Spike always seemed to have this "joyful suicidal tendencies" mixed with cynicism; it was always hard to tell if he was serious or not. Just my take on the character.

Of course, if I start thinking about who could play Spike .. well .. I got nothing.

[Saur]

A little too stone faced for me. Spike always seemed to have this "joyful suicidal tendencies" mixed with cynicism; it was always hard to tell if he was serious or not. Just my take on the character.

Of course, if I start thinking about who could play Spike .. well .. I got nothing.

Concur.


But back on topic, would rather have johansson play the Major than jovovich. I'm sure there will be americanized adjustments a la Edge of Tomorrow.

[JSGlock34]

I would've been fine with Reeves as Spike, but Scarlet Johansson as Major Kusanagi (if they even keep the name) doesn't seem right. I'll be curious to see the rest of the cast. Personally I hope they draw from Stand Alone Complex, vice the original movie (a classic but it was SAC that really fleshed out the characters) or Arise (which I haven't found half as interesting as SAC).

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2wjfjkIxh1qb4toho1_500.gif

Of course, the costume could convince me to sit through the movie...

[Maple Syrup Actual]

I don't really get into asian cartoons, so I had to punch "ghost in the shell" into google image search to get a sense of whether this was going to be worthwhile.

If the ratio of clothed-to-unclothed in the movie is similar to the results I got on google, then Scarlett Johannson was the right decision and I'm totally going to watch this.

I'm pretty sure I saw the cartoon when it came out but I don't remember much about it.

[Chance]

I'm pretty sure I saw the cartoon when it came out but I don't remember much about it.

The show was alright, but them screwing up the original movie version (from 1995) is what I'm concerned about. I hadn't even thought about them emulating the TV version, but that might actually be pretty straight-forward.


If the ratio of clothed-to-unclothed in the movie is similar to the results I got on google, then Scarlett Johannson was the right decision and I'm totally going to watch this.

If the studio's cool with an R rating. If not, little about the series is going to transfer mediums well.

[2alpha-down0]

Do any of the streaming services have the subbed 1995 movie? All I've found is GitS 2.0 English dub on Hulu, and it's less than stellar.

[Chance]

Do any of the streaming services have the subbed 1995 movie? All I've found is GitS 2.0 English dub on Hulu, and it's less than stellar.

Amazon Instant Video says they have the '95 subbed version, but I haven't seen it personally, so I can't comment. It's $9.99 at the moment. You might could find the DVD cheaper at your local re-sell store - there are plenty of copies around.

Edit: I take all that back - the Amazon version is apparently the HD remake. That being the case, I doubt you can find the original in a streaming format.

[JSGlock34]

If the studio's cool with an R rating. If not, little about the series is going to transfer mediums well.

You nailed it. An 'R' rated Ghost in the Shell with the right director could be the next Blade Runner. But my guess is that they won't want to pass on the wider audience, so we'll get a PG13 version. Opportunity missed. Imagine what, say, a Christopher Nolan, could do with this property. In the end, I'm less concerned about the action surviving the transition from anime than some of the underlying philosophical questions that Ghost in the Shell raises getting tossed as the movie is dumbed down for 'broader appeal'.

As for the original movie, I just don't think a live action remake that hewed closely to the source material would work for an American audience. Besides, the visuals of the original were already heavily mined by the Wachowskis for The Matrix. Sigh...I can already hear the youngsters complaining how this "new" Ghost in the Shell "ripped off" The Matrix...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3tF7TL0Qh4#t=146

Still, there are plenty of great action scenes from SAC that I'd love to see translated to live action film.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvSi5BV8_dU&spfreload=10

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0fzIAYRVAI&spfreload=10

[JMorse]

Like Jack Reacher does not equal Tom Cruise?

Sheeeeit. 3 Toms wouldn't equal 1 Jack. What a crazy choice for that role.

[Chance]

Sigh...I can already hear the youngsters complaining how this "new" Ghost in the Shell "ripped off" The Matrix...

'The Matrix' was released in 1999. I have college freshmen coming in that were born in 1995. To them, 'The Matrix' is practically steam punk. :)

[Chance]

Teasers! Looks like there's a possibility of this not being terrible.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqIwcuM_22A


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzDZqpE8PfY


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwtYAAKiJ0o


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHjqEBMKQHM

[GardoneVT]

Sheeeeit. 3 Toms wouldn't equal 1 Jack. What a crazy choice for that role.

Gotta sell tickets somehow.

[Gray222]

With the pedigree that is GITS and as stated above if it's R rated with the right type of Japanese style approach it will kill everything in its path.

There are a lot of animes out there that if adopted properly for the US market they will crush other traditional films.

It helps that CGI technology has come a long way.

[Wondering Beard]

Teasers! Looks like there's a possibility of this not being terrible.


What? no Batou?

Anyway, since this is a gun forum, the Major seems to be using a VP9 and I like Aramaki's choice of handcanon. I wonder if they'll give Togusa an original Mateba or a Chiappa?

[Chance]

I wonder if they'll give Togusa an original Mateba or a Chiappa?

I can barely tell the difference, personally. But it was a central part of that character, so who knows.

[Gadfly]

So, Am I the only one who watched Attack on Titan? Both the series and the live action movie?

My wife and son are into Tokyo Ghoul now. But I just could not get into that one...

[Peally]

I've seen a couple animes but I have a really, really hard time getting into them. Because Japan and its weirdo style.

[Gray222]

I've seen a couple animes but I have a really, really hard time getting into them. Because Japan and its weirdo style.

There are just different genres which attract different types...that's all.

Neon Genesis Evangalion (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E69VJZ6/) is a solid mindfuck series if you accept the premise.

Action shows like highschool of the dead (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004SGWYVA/) are fun too.

Plenty of other types if you dive into it.

[olstyn]

Neon Genesis Evangalion (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E69VJZ6) is a solid mindfuck series if you accept the premise.

Well, that and you have to have the capacity to put up with Asuka. :)

Some friends who hadn't seen Evangelion made me watch "Pacific Rim" with them, and they got really tired of me complaining about how it was just live-action Evangelion with a weaker plot and less interesting characters.

[Gray222]

Well, that and you have to have the capacity to put up with Asuka. :)

Some friends who hadn't seen Evangelion made me watch "Pacific Rim" with them, and they got really tired of me complaining about how it was just live-action Evangelion with a weaker plot and less interesting characters.

I grew up with a good female friend that I could have sworn they modeled that character off of.

Yeah Pacific rim was weak as fuck...underwater fight? Really? What's next they'll fight inside a volcano?

[JSGlock34]

I watched Battle of the Planets and Robotech as a kid, but it was the 1988 version of Appleseed that got me interested in anime. As a budding firearms enthusiast, I couldn't help notice that while GI Joe was running around with some weird laser rifle, the ESWAT team in the opening shootout of Appleseed was kitted out with Glocks, HK MP5s and PSG1s, and the team leader (Deunan) carried a 1911 in Condition One (and you actually saw her operate the safety in one scene). The fact that she has to make a support hand only long distance pistol shot to defeat the villain at the end was icing on the cake. It's dated now, but back then it had an impact on my teenage brain.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnDLJlDESLQ

The teasers give me some hope, but I'm still not crazy about the Scarlett Johannson casting. Had they asked me, I would have suggested someone like Stephanie Jacobson from Battlestar Galactica: Razor and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, but the phone never rang and a lesser known actress probably lacks the box office draw they're looking for. Still, they seem to be getting the aesthetics right.

http://www.cosmicbooknews.com/sites/default/files/scarlett-johansson-ghost-in-shell-teaser-trailer.jpg
http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2wjfjkIxh1qb4toho1_500.gif

[Wondering Beard]

My intro to serious anime, as opposed to Saturday morning kid's cartoon anime, was Cowboy Bebop and the first Ghost in the Shell movie. It became rapidly very obvious that anime was willing to play with ideas in straight commercial offerings (as opposed to indie intellectual) that no one else in Hollywood wanted to touch.

[Joe in PNG]

I used to be pretty hardcore into anime, but the general shift into moe (girls with exaggerated features and waay too much fan service) kind of turned me off.
The Rebuild of Evangelion movies are pretty much the only thing I'm really following, but I get the feeling that I'll have to wait another decade before they release #4.

Still, the GITS movie looks pretty dang good. Sadly, due to my bad and expensive 3rd world internet, I can't watch the trailers. Any Tachikomas?

[will_1400]

Ghost in the Shell is one of my all time favorite shows of any medium. Cowboy Bebop is another as is Hellsing: Ultimate (an old vampire aligned with a secret church organization to hunt other vampires and killing Nazis; what's not to like?).

[Jay Cunningham]

The Matrix had a distinct GITS influence.

[olstyn]

Sure did. The "lobby scene" could have come right out of GitS, and hell, Trinity could just about have been Major Kusanagi. That, and the fact that she's probably "too old" now, are probably why they weren't beating down Carrie-Ann Moss' door for this role.

[Wondering Beard]

I used to be pretty hardcore into anime, but the general shift into moe (girls with exaggerated features and waay too much fan service) kind of turned me off.
The Rebuild of Evangelion movies are pretty much the only thing I'm really following, but I get the feeling that I'll have to wait another decade before they release #4.

Still, the GITS movie looks pretty dang good. Sadly, due to my bad and expensive 3rd world internet, I can't watch the trailers. Any Tachikomas?

They're ten seconds teasers, so aside from the Major and Aramaki, there are no known characters and they show more of the atmosphere than the story.

I'm looking forward to seeing more.

ETA: Takeshi Kitano plays Aramaki

[Joe in PNG]

ETA: Takeshi Kitano plays Aramaki

So awesome!

[MGW]

I have no idea what is going on. I'll probably go see it anyway.

[will_1400]

They're ten seconds teasers, so aside from the Major and Aramaki, there are no known characters and they show more of the atmosphere than the story.

I'm looking forward to seeing more.

ETA: Takeshi Kitano plays Aramaki

That's a very good casting choice. I'll still reserve judgement until I learn more about the movie though.

[Wondering Beard]

That's a very good casting choice. I'll still reserve judgement until I learn more about the movie though.

Yeah, the director is apparently the guy who did Snow White and the Huntsman, so doubts are a requirement here.

[Default.mp3]

Yeah, the director is apparently the guy who did Snow White and the Huntsman, so doubts are a requirement here.But he did also direct one of the best video game trailers ever (IMO, anyway):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRMUYpH7bQk

Of course, the art of making a good trailer isn't analogous with making a good movie.

[JAD]

ETA: Takeshi Kitano plays Aramaki

I made a little girl noise.

[LOKNLOD]

But he did also direct one of the best video game trailers ever (IMO, anyway):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRMUYpH7bQk

Of course, the art of making a good trailer isn't analogous with making a good movie.

How had I never seen that? Bad. Ass.

[Chance]

Of course, the art of making a good trailer isn't analogous with making a good movie.

Yeah, but a number of people who started off directing music videos went on to become great film directors. David Fincher comes immediately to mind.

[GardoneVT]

With the pedigree that is GITS and as stated above if it's R rated with the right type of Japanese style approach it will kill everything in its path.

There are a lot of animes out there that if adopted properly for the US market they will crush other traditional films.

It helps that CGI technology has come a long way.

Black Lagoon.
With Samuel L Jackson as Dutch.

That combo would make so much Box Office cheddar it would embarrass the global counterfeit money racket.

[Peally]

There are just different genres which attract different types...that's all.

Neon Genesis Evangalion (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E69VJZ6) is a solid mindfuck series if you accept the premise.

Action shows like highschool of the dead (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004SGWYVA/) are fun too.

Plenty of other types if you dive into it.

Some traits are constant across all of them. Not really my thing but I've seen a couple so I'm not a massive hater.

[will_1400]

Yeah, the director is apparently the guy who did Snow White and the Huntsman, so doubts are a requirement here.

Oh, for crying out loud. Here's hoping he doesn't screw this up. At least he's starting off with a woman who is a badass (the Major) rather than trying to turn a Disney princess into Xena. Crossing my fingers, but not holding my breath.

[Peally]

How had I never seen that? Bad. Ass.

Yep that trailer was excellent. All the Bungie Halo stuff that sticks with the grunts on the ground is generally pretty good IMO.

[Default.mp3]

Yeah, but a number of people who started off directing music videos went on to become great film directors. David Fincher comes immediately to mind.Too bad that didn't happen with McG. Bastard tricked me into watching Terminator Salvation with his that third trailer, the one with NIN's "The Day the Whole World Went Away". That trailer was straight legit (maybe I'm just biased 'cause I'm an NIN fan), and the movie had Christian Bale, the year after The Dark Knight, and Salvation still turned out to be a bucket of shit.

So, yeah, I'm still really apprehensive about the quality of this live action GitS. Dunno who this Pilou Asbæk fellow is, but he seems a bit small to be Batou. I'm also curious as the character Michael Pitt plays; it's confirmed the character is named Kuze, but various sources also indicate that Kuze is also known as The Laughing Man, which brings up questions lots of questions on storyline. Hopefully they don't just try to mash up SAC and SAC 2nd GIG.


Black Lagoon.
With Samuel L Jackson as Dutch.

That combo would make so much Box Office cheddar it would embarrass the global counterfeit money racket.I liked Black Lagoon seasons 1 and 2 quite a bit when I watched it. Then, I eventually got around to watching Roberta's Blood Trail, and it was pretty fucking garbage. Yet all three were similarly well received by fans; makes me wonder just how well Black Lagoon actually aged, and if I rewatched it, would I think it was just more typical typical shōnen shit. Then again, it probably would be a money printer even if it was, given how much money Michael Bay movies make.

[Amun]

To be honest, it pissed me off. I do not mind Scarlet, but I like the Major way more. for crying out loud the choices for Batou, Kuze...Ishikawa?!? WTF is happening!?!

http://i.imgur.com/w6FN9HW.png

no, just no.

[Jay Cunningham]

There was a cool movie buried somewhere inside Terminator: Salvation.

[Peally]

To be honest, it pissed me off. I do not mind Scarlet, but I like the Major way more. for crying out loud the choices for Batou, Kuze...Ishikawa?!? WTF is happening!?!

http://i.imgur.com/w6FN9HW.png

no, just no.

Not sure what you want her to do other than dye her hair purple and poof it up a bit.

[GardoneVT]

There was a cool movie buried somewhere inside Terminator: Salvation.

Moon Bloodgood, A-Freakin-10's, and Terminators.

McG had one job.

[Jay Cunningham]

The motorcycles were pretty neat, too.

[Default.mp3]

Not sure what you want her to do other than dye her hair purple and poof it up a bit.Cast someone from East Asia, amirite. Though the hair on Johansson doesn't look too off from the original movie. Hell, I'm assuming they're going to have a Kusanagi that's more broody and shit like the movie one, rather than the one with a sense in humor, like in SAC or the mangas. Cyberpunk is always dark and brooding and shit in the West, it seems (thought CD Projekt Red says they're gonna try to change that with Cyberpunk 2077).

I suppose you could handwave the race issue as Kusanagi having a mass produced shell, and thus ending up with a Caucasian model, but we'll see if they make that effort.

Man, GitS and Blade Runner 2 are both next year. Surely at least one will be good.

[NickA]

Hoping that the Netflix Altered Carbon series won't suck either.

Sent from my XT1095 using Tapatalk

[olstyn]

Hoping that the Netflix Altered Carbon series won't suck either.

Hm, interesting. I did not know that was a thing. Thoroughly enjoyed the book. I suppose it'll be exclusive to Netflix, though, and we don't currently have a subscription, so it may be a moot point for me.

[Peally]

Cast someone from East Asia, amirite. Though the hair on Johansson doesn't look too off from the original movie. Hell, I'm assuming they're going to have a Kusanagi that's more broody and shit like the movie one, rather than the one with a sense in humor, like in SAC or the mangas. Cyberpunk is always dark and brooding and shit in the West, it seems (thought CD Projekt Red says they're gonna try to change that with Cyberpunk 2077).

I suppose you could handwave the race issue as Kusanagi having a mass produced shell, and thus ending up with a Caucasian model, but we'll see if they make that effort.

Man, GitS and Blade Runner 2 are both next year. Surely at least one will be good.

I don't know what any of that means, but I doubt her not being Asian is going to change anything at all really.

[Joe in PNG]

I suppose you could handwave the race issue as Kusanagi having a mass produced shell, and thus ending up with a Caucasian model, but we'll see if they make that effort.


To really get meta, the Major probably bought an officially licensed Avenger's "Black Widow" model cyber body, and had it hotrodded.
Face it, if you have the tech to build cyber bodies, you're going to get officially licensed versions of popular superheros from the movies.

[Chance]

Too bad that didn't happen with McG. Bastard tricked me into watching Terminator Salvation with his that third trailer, the one with NIN's "The Day the Whole World Went Away".


That was NIN's "The Day the Whole World Went Away (Green Version)" fyi. I was a projectionist at the time when the trailer/movie came out, and I hunted down that song like it was an animal. That was before the days of SoundHound (http://soundhound.com/).


There was a cool movie buried somewhere inside Terminator: Salvation.

"Buried" is the right word. Huge potential that just didn't stick to the end result.


Cast someone from East Asia, amirite.

I've got to agree. Johansson can definitely pull the attitude, but I think this would have been a great opportunity to introduce some unknown-in-the-west talent to fill that role.

[GardoneVT]

That was NIN's "The Day the Whole World Went Away (Green Version)" fyi. I was a projectionist at the time when the trailer/movie came out, and I hunted down that song like it was an animal. That was before the days of SoundHound (http://soundhound.com/).



"Buried" is the right word. Huge potential that just didn't stick to the end result.



I've got to agree. Johansson can definitely pull the attitude, but I think this would have been a great opportunity to introduce some unknown-in-the-west talent to fill that role.

On the subject of Johansson, I'd disagree. She's acted in multiple Asian oriented films , and draws a crowd. Remember that Lucy and Lost In Translation are set in the Orient.

While I understand the rationale behind using ethnically Asian actresses for these films, it runs right into the analytic reality that audiences nationwide prefer Caucasian main stars. There are some exceptions, but none of them to date are Asian . The producers want a rate of return, and an Asian script with a white actor or actress sells more tickets then an Asian one.

Stinks, but that's The Business.

[Trooper224]

Two things that go together like peas and carrots: social justice warriors and comic books.

[JSGlock34]

First trailer.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTaLafAFrmE

I'm sure the use of the original music here helps, but damn if it doesn't look like they nailed the opening sequence.


http://assets14.ign.com/videos/zencoder/2016/11/13/960/f39f6df117e0f540b2f4a7062399cbbc-1129000-1479043809-w.mp4

[MistWolf]

Johansen's eyes are wrong. Not because they aren't Asian. They are expressionless and dull. Kusanagi's eyes are like a doll's. What the live action trailers fail to capture is the doll-like nature of the Major's body

[Jay Cunningham]

I'm not the type who is triggered by a white actor replaced by an actor of a different race or ethnicity.

There were no Japanese actresses to play Major Kusanagi?

SJ is attractive and has action chops. I guess it's the name recognition. Hopefully the film captures that anime flavor.

Also: she needs to be naked.

[JSGlock34]

Opening sequence...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5amv-vqUFo

[senorlechero]

I am retardedly excited about this, but then again I liked Terminator: Salvation.

GitS was the first anime film I ever watched, I didn't get really into it like some do, but there have a been a few good ones, but nothing was like GitS IMO.

It had better be rated R.

[Gray222]

I'm not the type who is triggered by a white actor replaced by an actor of a different race or ethnicity.

There were no Japanese actresses to play Major Kusanagi?

SJ is attractive and has action chops. I guess it's the name recognition. Hopefully the film captures that anime flavor.

Also: she needs to be naked.

Not for the US market.

She's got the following after avengers. People will see it based solely on that.

Japanese actresses? Sure, there are plenty who could probably fit the bill buy probably won't get the same level of response

[Joe in PNG]

I like there's a few visuals I recognize from both the movie and from SAC.

[Peally]

Johansen's eyes are wrong. Not because they aren't Asian. They are expressionless and dull. Kusanagi's eyes are like a doll's. What the live action trailers fail to capture is the doll-like nature of the Major's body

I've never seen a doll that wasn't expressionless and dull in the eyes.

I'm guessing this film will do fine and the hardcore fans will nitpick a lot, like any movie.

[Gray222]

I like there's a few visuals I recognize from both the movie and from SAC.

The winning formula for these types of anime to real life transitions has always been nearly copying some of the more iconic and robust scenery. While I doubt we will see as much nudity as GITS actually had, especially not some of the weird pedofile level scenes, but will see most of the same action scenes.

I really hope this is a hit, not because of SJH but because of there are a dozen animes I want to see turned into Hollywood movies.

[Edwin]

https://imgur.com/a/z2oLK

[Doc_Glock]

Pretty cool remake of the trailer using audio from Movie trailer and scenes from animated film.


https://youtu.be/RSyV9E2ib2s

[Joe in PNG]

I've never seen a doll that wasn't expressionless and dull in the eyes.

I'm guessing this film will do fine and the hardcore fans will nitpick a lot, like any movie.

In SAC, the Major's eyes resembled more that of a predator than a doll- my opinion, of course.

[Peally]

Seems more accurate. "Electronic" eyes

[Jay Cunningham]

The winning formula for these types of anime to real life transitions has always been nearly copying some of the more iconic and robust scenery. While I doubt we will see as much nudity as GITS actually had, especially not some of the weird pedofile level scenes, but will see most of the same action scenes.

I really hope this is a hit, not because of SJH but because of there are a dozen animes I want to see turned into Hollywood movies.


https://youtu.be/PcUVtC-f8RY

[JSGlock34]

Ghost in the Shell guns. Gun forum, right?

The Firearm Blog: Anime Meets Life: The Guns Of Ghost In The Shell (http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2016/11/30/ghost-shell-movie/)

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/IMG_4869-660x495.jpg
http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/IMG_4866-1-660x392.jpg
http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/IMG_4871-660x432.jpg
http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/IMG_5001.jpg

[Jay Cunningham]

No Roland Special?

[JAD]

Worse, no Mateba.

[Jay Cunningham]

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161221/2fc2b5b3ccac1e671d8ece4fcb92e08e.jpg

[Gray222]

No Roland Special?

no care.

[Chance]

Looks like the original manga is available on Comixology (https://www.comixology.com/The-Ghost-in-the-Shell-Vol-1/digital-comic/461011?ref=c2VyaWVzL3ZpZXcvZGVza3RvcC9ncmlkTGlzdC9 SZWNlbnRBZGRpdGlvbnM). Never read it, but I might check it out with the movie on the horizon.

[Default.mp3]

Looks like the original manga is available on Comixology (https://www.comixology.com/The-Ghost-in-the-Shell-Vol-1/digital-comic/461011?ref=c2VyaWVzL3ZpZXcvZGVza3RvcC9ncmlkTGlzdC9 SZWNlbnRBZGRpdGlvbnM). Never read it, but I might check it out with the movie on the horizon.FWIW, the manga, animated movies, and anime all have alternate interpretations of the character. The manga is much more irrelevant, IIRC, while the movie stuck with the typical dour cyberpunk presentation, with the anime being somewhere in between.

[JSGlock34]

FWIW, the manga, animated movies, and anime all have alternate interpretations of the character. The manga is much more irrelevant, IIRC, while the movie stuck with the typical dour cyberpunk presentation, with the anime being somewhere in between.

There's also the Ghost in the Shell: Arise (https://www.amazon.com/Ghost-Shell-Arise-Borders-Blu-ray/dp/B00LXGN2L4/ref=pd_sim_74_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00LXGN2L4&pd_rd_r=QQN2T2D07Y8VTFC09K76&pd_rd_w=b69DX&pd_rd_wg=mR7PP&psc=1&refRID=QQN2T2D07Y8VTFC09K76) series, along with Ghost in the Shell: The New Movie (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AY1FMDE/ref=s9_acsd_bw_wf_a_dlpfa2ed_cdl_14?tag=igndeals14-20&ascsubtag=d852454a-be1a-4415-93b3-76dbcb33a783) (also in the Arise continuity), which are yet another interpretation that is distinctive from either the original movies or the Stand Alone Complex (https://www.amazon.com/Ghost-Shell-Complex-Complete-Collection/dp/B001D265RQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482370899&sr=8-1&keywords=stand+alone+complex) TV series. Personally I didn't care much for the Arise storylines, the changes to the character models (The Major was the most significantly changed), or the new voice actors, and would rather watch Stand Alone Complex. Thankfully it looks like the original movie and Stand Alone Complex are the most significant influences for the live action film.

http://www.slugmag.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Ghost-in-the-Shell-Arise-banner.jpg

[Joe in PNG]

http://www.slugmag.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Ghost-in-the-Shell-Arise-banner.jpg

What in the heck did they do to Motoko?!!

[JSGlock34]

What in the heck did they do to Motoko?!!

What was even worse was their decision to change voice actors...but weirdly they decided to employ Mary Elizabeth McGlynn (who was the English voice actor for Motoko in Stand Alone Complex) as the voice for a new but significant character named Kurtz. Since Kurtz and Motoko have several scenes together, I kept losing track who was who because the voice I normally associated with Motoko now belonged to someone else...weird.

If you're familiar with the Stand Alone Complex voice cast, listen to the trailer, and you'll hear what I'm talking about.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5g1xubyuVs

[Gray222]

I am all about reimagining old anime in newer styles to meet the newest concepts of future.

Voice actors literally mean nothing to me...So yeah

[JSGlock34]

New footage in here...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tl16CwOPGu8

[JSGlock34]

New shot of Section 9.

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/51b3dc8ee4b051b96ceb10de/t/58934a2c579fb36678bd8b55/1486047799673/?format=750w

[Keebsley]

Well...isnt Arise when the Major put herself in the younger black market body that Batou got her after her original shell got destroyed by the Puppet Master? At least thats what I thought. I have been known to be wrong.

[JSGlock34]

Well...isnt Arise when the Major put herself in the younger black market body that Batou got her after her original shell got destroyed by the Puppet Master? At least thats what I thought. I have been known to be wrong.

Arise is a reboot/re-imagining that takes place prior to the formation of Section 9. It's a different continuity than the movie or Stand Alone Complex.

[JSGlock34]

New trailer.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRkb1X9ovI4

[JSGlock34]

More new footage.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4iduQkrMaY

[rob_s]

https://youtu.be/nbCyXVEVpKk

[Gray222]

Saw that trailer as preview for Logan, the shorter skarsgard is the antagonist apperently and it looks pretty good.

The visual effects are the only real point of contention for me, as they really need to be on par with the original matrix in terms of impact.

[Wondering Beard]

Well, I'm going to see it.

I don't expect to be wowed to the same extent I was when each of the first two anime movies came out (their visuals were ahead of their respective times when they came out), but, at worst, I'll enjoy myself and, at best, I'll be wowed again. Anything in between will be really good.

P.S. I have to go see Logan.

[Casual Friday]

I somehow missed this thread and knew nothing of this 2017 GITS until my wife and I were at John Wick 2 and saw the preview but it instantly brought back some sophomore in high school memories. I had a friend who was really into Anime, we were polar opposites as far as hobbies and interests go but we were good friends nonetheless. I lost a bet over something probably stupid and had to watch some of his favorite cartoon movies with him. Appleseed, a couple that I don't remember except they were really weird even for Japanese culture, and the fairly new at the time GITS movie. I only saw it the one time but I remember I didn't hate it. I'll watch this one when it comes out.

[Default.mp3]

More new footage.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4iduQkrMaYThat remix was terrible. Goddammit.

[JSGlock34]

Appleseed, a couple that I don't remember except they were really weird even for Japanese culture, and the fairly new at the time GITS movie.

I mentioned Appleseed earlier in the thread as the first real anime I ever saw. The opening hostage rescue was like a violent cartoon HK advertisement (there's even an IMFDB page for it (http://www.imfdb.org/wiki/Appleseed) - ha!). Sure, it's dated by today's standards, but for 1988 it was cutting edge stuff. Classic.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38bnPMuWeLI

[Casual Friday]

I mentioned Appleseed earlier in the thread as the first real anime I ever saw. The opening hostage rescue was like a violent cartoon HK advertisement (there's even an IMFDB page for it (http://www.imfdb.org/wiki/Appleseed) - ha!). Sure, it's dated by today's standards, but for 1988 it was cutting edge stuff. Classic.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38bnPMuWeLI

Wow the gun stuff in that IMFDB is way more accurate than I could even recognize as a teenage kid. I've got the day off, we're balls deep in snow so I'm gonna try to find Appleseed and GITS online.

[blues]

Scarlett Johansson Reportedly Files for Divorce From Husband Romain Dauriac

Just wanted to provide the above PSA for her fans who may wish to woo her now that she's available. She really does nothing for me but good luck to you guys who find her fascinating.

[Gray222]

Just wanted to provide the above PSA for her fans who may wish to woo her now that she's available. She really does nothing for me but good luck to you guys who find her fascinating.

She's a Hillary supporter.

So other than looking good she's basically useless.

[blues]

She's a Hillary supporter.

So other than looking good she's basically useless.

Yeah, and I don't think she looks particularly good either. But tastes vary as we know.

[PNWTO]

https://youtu.be/nbCyXVEVpKk

Is anybody really excited for when the Thermoptic suit becomes the next big Halloween costume?

[Skroob]

Is anybody really excited for when the Thermoptic suit becomes the next big Halloween costume?

The word big is what's scaring me.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Peally]

It'll definitely scar me for life when I see the husky WI folk dressed up like that.

As far as how hot Scarlett is she auto-wins me over with the short hair and auto-loses me over the Hitlery support.

[BobLoblaw]

Is anybody really excited for when the Thermoptic suit becomes the next big Halloween costume?

There's absolutely nothing wrong with ladies wearing nude yoga pant-like bodysuits and there will definitely be some attractive cosplay but remember that the two-airline-seat-buying crowd will also have access to these costumes as well.

ETA: Ah, beat me to it. Didn't refresh the page.

[Casual Friday]

Many a good man has been catfished into a relationship by a woman with nothing more to offer than a big set of sweater melons.

[Peally]

As long as you don't sign any paperwork you're golden.

[JSGlock34]

Apparently I'm an outlier considering how the movie is getting poor reviews, but as a long time fan of the series I liked it. Lots of nods to both the original film and Stand Alone Complex. They really nailed the aesthetic of the anime. Scarlett wouldn't have been my first choice in casting, but she did well enough. The guy who played Batou was excellent. The action scenes were really well done. My only complaint was that the other members of Section Nine were underdeveloped and neglected. The movie was actually on the short side (1 hour 42 minutes) - they should have added a few more scenes to flesh out the squad. I suspect we'll see an extended version/Director's Cut when the Blu-ray is released.

[Peally]

I'll see it. I'm picky about movies but considering I never watched any of the previous GitS content out there it should be somewhat refreshing. If it blows I have a friend I can lightly troll about it, like when the new Star Trek movies turned out to be lame action movies.

[Jay Cunningham]

I've read mediocre reviews but I guarantee you I'll watch it when it comes OnDemand.

[Totem Polar]

Apparently I'm an outlier considering how the movie is getting poor reviews, but as a long time fan of the series I liked it. Lots of nods to both the original film and Stand Alone Complex. They really nailed the aesthetic of the anime. Scarlett wouldn't have been my first choice in casting, but she did well enough. The guy who played Batou was excellent. The action scenes were really well done. My only complaint was that the other members of Section Nine were underdeveloped and neglected. The movie was actually on the short side (1 hour 42 minutes) - they should have added a few more scenes to flesh out the squad. I suspect we'll see an extended version/Director's Cut when the Blu-ray is released.
^^^ Spot on, IMHO.

Those that are fans will like it.

Those that like highly visual, blade-runnerish, ethics sci-fi will like it.

Those who are tripping balls will like it.


Those who don't know the story; don't like futuristic visual/ethical conundrum sci fi; or—failing the above, are stone sober to boot—will think it's God awful.

I'd probably watch it again on netflix or at the local second run place if I had the free time.

[will_1400]

As a fan of the anime, I recommend this film. Scarlett did a more than acceptable job in selling her role as the Major, the cast was solid (though underdeveloped in the storyline), the story itself is a hybrid of the Puppetmaster and 2nd GiG stories which they managed to make work well enough with the short runtime, the visual effects were awesome, the attention to detail (Togusa using a 6 inch Chiappa Rhino as a stand in for his anime counterpart's Mateba was a nice touch), combined with expertly done portrayals of iconic action set pieces (I won't spoil it for those who aren't familiar with the series), and it overall worked for me. Not as good as the original anime to be honest as it dumbed down the existential questions of the original anime, but I spent the money for admission, popcorn, and a large drink (basically $30 overall, which is bullshit for other reasons), but I felt like I got my money's worth out of the deal. I will definitely be adding this to my movie collection once I can.

I will declare that to date, this is the best live-action adaptation of a manga/anime since City Hunter with Jackie Chan (yes I'm a nerd; deal with it) in terms of keeping up with the spirit and aesthetic of the source material. Of note, I had a friend who complained about the PG-13 rating to which I retorted: "if you wanted to see Scarlett Johansson's tits, she's done full frontal nude scenes in other movies, go look them up".

[Duelist]

Had never heard of this series til this thread started. Have now seen a ... Few ... Episodes, like Scarlett J, and anticipated the film greatly.

My wife and I saw it tonight. She hadn't seen any episodes, but likes Scarlett J and enjoyed it, save for thinking the violence a bit over the top.

I, on the other hand, enjoyed it without reservation, and pretty much think the "whitewash" accusations are a load of bunk. Anybody who can watch the movie they actually made and doesn't get why Major doesn't exactly look Japanese ... well, they aren't logically and objectively thinking. And as far as a pragmatic casting decision to pick Scarlett J, they needed somebody who could carry the story *and get people like my wife, who have never been interested in anime in any way, who likely would not watch an anime even if asked, to get those people to go see the movie because they like the A-list actress headlining the show. A relative unknown like the various Asian actresses I've heard suggested would not have gotten the movie the same kind of attention as Scarlett J has.

Overall, I enjoyed it, and would see again. Of course, I saw Bladerunner in high school and can't wait to see the new one.

[will_1400]

When I first heard of Scarlett being cast as the Major, I siad "that's a smart choice; an A-lister who can pull off both being an ice queen but vulnerable once you get past the facade, much like how the anime treats the Major. Plus her time portraying the Black Widow in the Marvel movies will compliment her in selling her role" and I was proven right. As for the "whitewashing" idiots... they clearly don't know their "beloved anime" as well as they think. The Japan of Ghost in the Shell is multi ethnic and is a powerhouse after World Wars III and IV. There are a lot of non-Japanese running around and the fact that the Major is the purest cyborg means she can look however she wants as only her brain remains organic; she could turn around and be installed in a chassis that is a dead-ringer for The Undertaker in his prime if she wants. Race is all but irrelevant in the universe of Ghost in the Shell, after all.

[Default.mp3]

Watched it the other day. Was only mildly disappointed, mainly because I went in with very low expectations, as my friend had told me it was basically eye candy and not much else. And to me, he was right. Visuals were pretty cool, with lots of little homages everywhere, but holy shit, did they gut the story. Okay as mindless entertainment, but a hollow shell compared compared to anime movie, with weak characterizations, inane plotlines, and a lack of critical thinking on the themes it was trying to espouse. GitS has long been one of my favorite anime franchises of all time, so I'm saddened to realize that there probably won't be a good sequel or alternate live action remake in some time, given the relatively poor performance of this movie.

And I still remain unconvinced of Johansson's believability as an action star.

[JSGlock34]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=94&v=O6pA7Dw_iCw&feature=emb_logo