'Ghost In A Shell' Movie News: Here Is Why Fans Petition To Ditch Scarlett Johansson [REPORT]

Earlier this year, Dreamworks confirmed that the beautiful Scarlett Johansson is slated to star in an all-new live-action film adaptation of the highly acclaimed 1995 Japanese sci-fi anime movie "Ghost in the Shell." Initial response from the announcement was extremely positive as Scarlett Johansson had already done great work as the Black Widow in Marvel's Avengers franchise.

However, criticism against the casting decision rapidly took hold shortly following the announcement of Scarlett Johansson’s part. Now, “Ghost in the Shell” fans have created a petition to remove Scarlett Johansson from the movie’s starring role. To date, the “Ghost in the Shell” petition has acquired nearly 34,000 signatures.

According to the petition, fans are upset at Hollywood’s tradition of selecting white actors and actresses to star in big-budget films. Given that “Ghost in the Shell” is an original Japanese masterpiece that takes place in the fictional futuristic city of Niihama, fans are demanding the producers to remove Scarlett Johansson from the role of Major Motoko Kusanagi and to select a talented Japanese actress instead.

According to the petition, a recent movie industry survey reported that Asian characters only represent 4.4 percent of speaking roles in top-grossing Hollywood films. Participants that signed the petition are also proactively naming actresses they would like to see to take the role. Particularly, Rinko Kikuchi, who played in “Pacific Rim” and “Babel,” is a major fan favorite for “Ghost in the Shell” fans.

Here is what the "Ghost in the Shell" petition had to say:

“Fans of the iconic 1995 animated Japanese sci-fi film Ghost in the Shell have been anticipating a live-action remake for years -- but now, instead of casting an Asian actress, Dreamworks has selected Scarlett Johansson for the lead role!” The film revolves around Major Motoko Kusanagi, a member of a futuristic security force tasked with tracking a mysterious hacker.

"The original film is set in Japan, and the major cast members are Japanese. So why would the American remake star a white actress? The industry is already unfriendly to Asian actors without roles in major films being changed to exclude them. One recent survey found that in 2013, Asian characters made up only 4.4% of speaking roles in top-grossing Hollywood films.

"Dreamworks could be using this film to help provide opportunities for Asian-American actors in a market with few opportunities for them to shine -- please sign the petition asking them to reconsider casting Scarlett Johansson in Ghost in the Shell and select actors who are truer to the cast of the original film!"

Do you agree with the petition’s argument? Who would you like to see perform the starring role of Major Motoko Kusanagi in “Ghost in the Shell?” Let us know in the comment section below!