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5.25.2016

Rila Fukushima joins the cast of 'Ghost in the Shell'

But Scarlett Johansson is still apparently in this shit.



Can it be? There will apparently be at least one more actual Asian person in Ghost in the Shell. Japanese actress Rila Fukushima is joining the cast of the live-action Hollywood remake of the manga/anime classic.

'Wolverine' Actress Rila Fukushima Joins Scarlett Johansson in 'Ghost in the Shell'

As you may have heard, Ghost in the Shell has already received a crap-ton of criticism for casting Scarlett Johansson in the lead role of Japanese cyborg cop Major Motoko Kusanagi.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Fukushima will co-star in a yet to be revealed role in the film alongside Johansson. One has to wonder if the late addition of a Japanese actress to the film's cast is an attempt to assuage the accusations of whitewashing.




Based on the classic manga series by Masamune Shirow, and directed by Rupert Sanders, 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."

The film's cast also includes Takeshi Kitano as Daisuke Aramaki, Juliette Binoche as Dr. Ouelet, Michel Pitte as Kuze, Pilou Asbæk as Batou, and Kaori Momoi. The members of Section 9 are played by Chin Han, Danusia Samal, Lasarus Ratuere, Yutaka Izumihara and Tuwanda Manyimo.

Fukushima is known for playing the mutant "bodyguard" Yukio in 2013's The Wolverine opposite Hugh Jackman. She also had a recurring role as Katana on The CW's Arrow.

This doesn't change much. As I've already said, you can fill out the rest of Ghost in the Shell with as many secondary and background Asian characters as you'd like; it still does not change the bothersome fact that Major Motoko Kusanagi is being played by Scarlett Friggin' Johansson.

More here: Ghost in the Shell adds Wolverine actress Rila Fukushima


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