Ghost in the Shell Live-Action Movie Adds Wolverine Actress to Cast

Production continues on the movie adaptation of the anime cyberpunk classic Ghost in the Shell, and a new cast member has been added. It has been reported that Wolverine star Rila Fukushima has joined the movie.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Japanese actress will appear alongside Scarlett Johansson in the film. Fukushima is best known in her role as female ninja Yukio in 2013's hit X-Men spin-off The Wolverine, as well as appearing on the DC show Arrow.

Ghost in the Shell has been the subject of some controversy over the past few months, with the decision to cast Johansson as the lead character, Japanese cyborg Motoko Kusanagi, leading to accusations that the filmmakers were "whitewashing" the role.

Last month, the publisher of the the original manga series defended the decision. Sam Yoshiba, director of Kodansha's international business division, told THR: "I think Scarlett Johansson is well-cast. She has the cyberpunk feel. And we never imagined it would be a Japanese actress in the first place. This is a chance for a Japanese property to be seen around the world."

Ghost in the Shell was one of the key anime films to break through to a western audience during the 1990s. It was created by Masamune Shirow, and began as a manga series in 1989.

The popularity of the manga led to four anime movies, the latest of which, Ghost in the Shell: The New Movie, was released last year. There have also been a number of video games.

Ghost in the Shell also stars Michael Pitt, Juliette Binoche, and Takeshi Kitano, and is set to be released on March 31, 2017.