Amidthe white-washing controversysurrounding theGhost in the Shellmovie,Rila Fukushimawas a name on most of those listicals about Japanese actresses who could’ve starred instead ofScarlett Johansson. Now, theWolverinestar actually joins ScarJo in the adaptation of the beloved Manga.
THRwas the first to report the news of her casting, though the trade doesn’t reveal which character she’s playing. Nevertheless, her action movie chops make her well equipped for anything that’s coming her way. Fukushima notably played the sword-wielding ninja Yukio oppositeHugh Jackman’s Logan inThe Wolverine, in addition to DC character Katana on The CW’sArrow.
Ghost in the Shellcenters on Johansson’s Major, a cyborg who leads the elite task force Section 9 that works to stop the most dangerous criminals. The film isalready in productionwith directorRupert Sanders(Snow White and The Huntsman) and a cast that includesMichael Pittas villain The Laughing Man,Beat Takeshi Kitanoas Daisuke Aramaki,Juliette Binocheas Dr. Ouelet,Pilou Asbækas Batou,Kaori Momoi, and members of Section 9 played byChin Han,Danusia Samal,Lasarus Ratuere,Yutaka Izumihara, andTuwanda Manyimo.
The project has come under fire for placing Johansson, a caucasian actress as a character originally envisioned as Japanese. Adding more insult to injury, the cast roster surrounding Johansson, including Fukushima, is primarily Asian, which can be seen as stealing a culture and giving it to another. Though he didn’t support the move, screenwriterMax Landis(Chronicle) said ina video responsethat this is how Hollywood works — casting high-profile stars to ease fears of poor international box-office sales.
Ghost in the Shellis scheduled for release on July 02, 2025. See the official plot synopsis below.
Based on the internationally-acclaimed sci-fi property, “GHOST IN THE SHELL” follows the Major, a special ops, one-of-a-kind human-cyborg hybrid, who leads the elite task force Section 9. Devoted to stopping the most dangerous criminals and extremists, Section 9 is faced with an enemy whose singular goal is to wipe out Hanka Robotic’s advancements in cyber technology.
