News Reporting

“Ghost In The Shell” Filming Spotted In Hong Kong – Batou & The Major Caught In Costume


Get your bags packed, everyone, the Major’s headed to Hong Kong!

Earlier today, entertainment site TwitchFilm reported that DreamWorks’s Ghost in the Shell film is currently shooting in Hong Kong. Media site HK01 updated with several photos from the set, which feature Scarlett Johansson and Pilou Asbaek in costume as The Major and Batou, respectively.

Ghost in the Shell Dreamworks Filming 002 - 20160608

Ghost in the Shell Dreamworks Filming 001 - 20160608

Ghost in the Shell Dreamworks Filming 003 - 20160608

HK101 also released a 20-second video taken at the set.

Ghost in the Shell is on-track for a March 31, 2017 première date.

The live-action Ghost in the Shell movie was greenlit for production in January 2015. Disney originally stepped forward to produce the feature, which begins filming this year. Paramount signed on to co-produce the project in exchange for distribution rights in international markets.

Scarlett Johansson plays The Major in Ghost in the Shell from Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Pictures in theaters March 31, 2017.
Scarlett Johansson plays The Major in Ghost in the Shell from Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Pictures in theaters March 31, 2017.

In January, Paramount announced that they will handle all distribution for the feature.

Rupert Sanders (Snow White and the Huntsman) will direct the feature, which features a script by William Wheeler (The Hoax) and Jamie Moss (Street Kings). Straight Outta Compton writer Jonathan Herman was pulled onto the project to rewrite.

Ari Arad, Avi Arad and Steven Paul are attached as producers for the film. Michael Costigan, Jeffrey Silver, Tetsu Fujimura and Mitsuhisa Ishikawa will serve as executive producers.

The remaining confirmed crew members include:

  • Cinematographer: Jess Hall (The Spectacular Now
  • Editor: Neil Smith (Snow White and the Huntsman)
  • Production Designer: Jan Roelfs (Fast & Furious 6)
  • Costume Designer: Kurt Swanson (The Hunger Games: Mockingjay)
  • Costume Designer: Bart Mueller (The Hunger Games: Mockingjay)

The confirmed cast in the film includes:

  • The Major: Scarlett Johansson
  • Batou: Pilou Asbæk
  • Daisuke Aramaki: Beat Takeshi
  • The Laughing Man: Sam Riley
  • Dr. Ouelet: Juliette Binoche
  • Section 9 Task Force Member: Tuwanda Manyimo
  • Section 9 Task Force Member: Chin Han
  • Section 9 Task Force Member: Lasarus Ratuere
  • Section 9 Task Force Member: Yutaka Izumihara

Rila Fukushima (Game of Thrones, Arrow) is also in the film, though her role is unnamed as of press time.

Source: Twitch Film

About the author

Samantha Ferreira

Samantha Ferreira is Anime Herald’s founder and editor-in-chief. A Rhode Island native, Samantha has been an anime fan since 1992, and an active member of the anime press since 2002, when she began working as a reviewer for Anime Dream. She launched Anime Herald in 2010, and continues to oversee its operations to this day. Outside of journalism, Samantha actively studies the history of the North American anime fandom and industry, with a particular focus on the 2000s anime boom and bust. She’s a huge fan of all things Sakura Wars, and maintains series fansite Combat Revue Review when she has free time available. When not in the Anime Herald Discord, Samantha can typically be found on Bluesky.

Anime Herald

Support Anime Herald

Anime Herald is brought to you through our Patrons and Ko-fi supporters. Consider backing us for as little as $1 a month to help us keep the site ad-free and pay a fair rate to our writers.

Patrons and backers can access several benefits, including Early Article Access, our members-only Discord, and the ability to suggest articles for our team to write on your behalf.



Latest Posts