Asian Community Upset With Scarlett Johannson Casting In Film ‘Ghost in the Shell’

Paramount Pictures released its first photos of Scarlett Johannson as Major Motoko Kusanagi in the upcoming film, “Ghost in the Shell.”

Release: @ParamountPics & @DWAnimation “GHOST IN THE SHELL” is in production in New Zealand https://t.co/ReqqJmLh18 pic.twitter.com/bBi7yODque

— Paramount Pictures (@ParamountPics) April 14, 2016

The April 14 release via its Twitter page has left fans questioning why “Ghost in the Shell,” a Japanese anime, would cast a White actress rather than an Asian actress to star as Kusanagi.

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Tilda Swinton as The Ancient One is fine (character was borderline racist to begin with), but full white washing Ghost in the Shell is BS.

— Jimmy Wong (@jfwong) April 14, 2016

Ghost in the Shell was one of the most important movies to my brother and me growing up. It really does hurt to see it get this treatment.

— Jimmy Wong (@jfwong) April 14, 2016

1st pic of the Ghost in the Shell movie. I still think they could’ve found someone else to play Motoko Kusanagi. pic.twitter.com/Gp43s3LW1i

— Allissa (@AllissaByGrace) April 14, 2016

You can “Westernize” the story if you want, but at that point it is no longer Ghost In The Shell because the story is simply not Western.

— Jon Tsuei (@jontsuei) April 15, 2016

The whitewash cycle is complete. First look at Scarlett Johansson in Ghost in the Shell: https://t.co/vlrCiwtN62 pic.twitter.com/wI50dCDDwW

— Angry Asian Man (@angryasianman) April 14, 2016

“Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D” Actress Ming-Na Wen voiced her displeasure as well.

Nothing against Scarlett Johansson. In fact, I’m a big fan. But everything against this Whitewashing of Asian role.