First Look: Scarlett Johansson in ‘Ghost in the Shell’

Scarlett Johansson looks ready for her stint as a human-cyborg in her upcoming film”Ghost in the Shell.” Paramount and DreamWorks released the first photo of the Johansson-starring anime-based film on Thursday.

Johansson, playing “Ghost in the Shell” character Motoko Kusanagi, sports a two-length shaggy black bob in this first look.

The live-action film will follow a member of a covert ops unit of elite task force Section 9, a “one-of-a-kind human-cyborg hybrid” who is devoted to “stopping the most dangerous criminals and extremists.”

The film, although in the early stages of production, has already received some criticism. Johansson’s casting seemed surprising to many fans of the Japanese hit, who called it whitewashing. Several petitions circulated online opposing the casting.

Johansson, though, has become a bona fide action star. “Lucy” made $394 million worldwide.

The film is being directed by Rupert Sanders of “Snow White and The Huntsman.” Cast members include Michael Pitt, Pilou Asbaek, Michael Wincott, Joseph Naufahu, Takeshi Kitano and Christopher Obi.

“Ghost in the Shell” is set for 2017.

Johansson is also starring in “Captain America: Civil War,” which charges into theaters on May 6.

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