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The live-action adaptation of the highly influential Kodansha Comics manga series has begun production in Wellington, New Zealand, with eyes on a March 31, 2017 release date (see “Best in Shows--Q1 2017”).

The film is directed by Rupert Sanders (Snow White and the Huntsman), and stars Scarlet Johansson as Major Kusanagi, a cyborg who leads a special ops cyber-crime unit under the direction of Daisuke Aramaki (Beat Takeshi Kitano). Michael Pitt has been cast in the villainous Laughing Man role (see “Early February Geek Movie News Round-Up”).

The synopsis reads, “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.”