By Derpetta V. Greene

I haven’t been this shocked since they announced a live action Akira film was on the way. What’s also shocking is it will be directed by Rupert Sanders. Sanders is the same director of 2012’s Snow White and the Huntsman. That does not sound too appealing, as Snow White and the Huntsman was visually stunning, but all around dull film. This makes me VERY nervous about this venture.

If you are familiar with the story of Ghost in the Shell, you’ll know it has an extremely complex storyline; even more so than Akira (a live action film has been in the works for Akira for over a decade by the way). I’ve seen Ghost in the Shell part 1 and 2, three times, and there are parts of the series I still don’t understand. With that said I have some major concerns:
Concern #1: Of all the great and/or up and coming directors in Hollywood that could tackle a film like this, the studio gives it to Rupert Sanders? His reputation does precede him due to the controversy with him and Kristen Stewart. This could possibly hurt the film. This project seems a bit over-zealous of him to take on.

Concern #2: Will the live action film fall victim to Hollywood whitewashing? If I hear another slap in the face case of cinematic whitewashing, I think my head will explode. I am hoping and praying for at least a diverse cast. There are plenty of Asian actors and actresses whom are fairly well known to American audiences, so there really isn’t a valid excuse for doing that.

Concern #3: What are they going to do with the story?! Maybe they are just using the title Ghost in the Shell, and it won’t be an actual remake. Maybe this film will tackle the Stand Alone Complex saga (which I think would be easier content to swallow). Hopefully they don’t sacrifice essential pieces of the story, just so the story can be shortened, and dumbed down for American audiences. The writers of the anime really did a good job of creating the perfect future world, and it forces the audience to think for themselves.

Overall, I will say that my curiosity has been piqued, as I wonder how they are going to move forward with this. The lead character of the anime is a female android, and I’m always down to see females kick a**. It would be wise for Sanders to take a page out of the Wachowski’s (The Matrix) handbook, and create a cinematic experience that is both new, and exciting and visually stunning.

Read more about the production HERE