Live-action 'Ghost': Scarlet Johansson’s character to sound like original protagonist

“Ghost in the Shell” live-action film will soon hit Hollywood, in which Scarlet Johansson’s character (Major) is expected to sound like Motoko Kusanagi, protagonist in the 1995 anime movie of the same title. Atsuko Tanaka will voice Major in the upcoming American film.

Tanaka is an original voice actor from the anime feature. She lent her voice to the said character in both the original film and Stand Alone Complex.

Fans will be delighted to know that apart from Tanaka, two more original voice actors will return to dub Batou and Togusa. Akio Otsuka will voice Pilou Asbæk’s Batou and Koichi Yamadera will voice Chin Han’s Togusa according to Natalie (sourced in English from Kotaku).

Otsuka was the same person who lent his voice to Batou for the original anime feature. He also reprised the role in the sequel, “Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence” (2004), as well as in “Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex” (2005). Yamadera, on the other hand, voiced Togusa in the original film.

Mamoru Oshii has commented about the voice actors being back for the “Ghost in the Shell” live action film. “It’s been a while since they’ve played these characters,” he commented. Oshii helmed the 1995 “Ghost in the Shell” anime.

“I definitely want them to deliver performances they see fit. They’re all pros, so there’s nothing to worry about, and I can only say that this is something to look forward to," he said.

Meanwhile, Ostuka shared how much he admired the film. He teased fans about what to expect from the movie adaptation, saying there are several scenes that were done just like they were in the anime version. “I was happy to see that the filmmakers have such an obvious respect for the source material,” he said.

The live-action “Ghost in the Shell” will screen in English, as well as with Japanese subtitles. It will also have a Japanese-dubbed format. Tanaka said she is so happy that the Hollywood version is being voiced by the original cast members. “Closing my eyes, and just working off of Otsuka and Yamadera’s voices, like animation scenes come flying, it was a mysterious experience,” she said.

“Ghost in the Shell” opens in Japanese theatres on April 7 while it is expected to hit the US big screens in March 31. Release date of the live-action film in Australia will be on March 30 per IMDb.