Fans of the Japanese comic book series and anime film, Ghost In
Fans of the Japanese comic book series and anime film, Ghost In The Shell, were delighted to find out that DreamWorks were creating a US remake – until they found out that Scarlett Johansson would be taking on the lead role.
Campaigners have remarked that there is a lack of roles for east Asian actors in Hollywood, and as such, have launched a petition to recast the Avengers star with a Japanese lead. More than 16,000 people have already showed their support by signing, and have accused DreamWorks of “whitewashing” the cast of their blockbusters.
“The original film is set in Japan, and the major cast members are Japanese. So why would the American remake star a white actress?” the petition reads. “The 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.
“Dreamworks could be using this film to help provide opportunities for Asian-American actors in a market with few opportunities for them to shine — please sign the petition asking them to reconsider casting Scarlett Johansson in Ghost in the Shell and select actors who are truer to the cast of the original film!”
Ghost in the Shell, directed by Rupert Sanders, is slated for release in 2017.
Sign the petition!