HOLLYWOOD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Pictures have announced that
production is underway on "GHOST IN THE SHELL," starring Scarlett
Johansson ("AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON," "LUCY") and directed by Rupert
Sanders ("SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN"). The film is shooting in
Wellington, New Zealand.
This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here:
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160414005815/en/
Scarlett Johansson plays the Major in Ghost in the Shell from Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Pictures in Theaters March 31, 2017. (Photo: Business Wire)
Paramount Pictures will release the film in the U.S. on March 31, 2017.
The film, which is based on the famous Kodansha Comics manga series of
the same name, written and illustrated by Masamune Shirow, is produced
by Avi Arad ("THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 1 & 2," "IRON MAN"), Ari Arad
("GHOST RIDER: SPIRIT OF VENGEANCE"), and Steven Paul ("GHOST RIDER:
SPIRIT OF VENGEANCE"). Michael Costigan ("PROMETHEUS"), Tetsu Fujimura
("TEKKEN"), Mitsuhisa Ishikawa, whose animation studio Production I.G
produced the Japanese "GHOST IN THE SHELL" film and television series,
and Jeffrey Silver ("EDGE OF TOMORROW," "300") will executive produce.
Based on the internationally-acclaimed sci-fi property, "GHOST IN THE
SHELL" follows the Major, a special ops, one-of-a-kind human-cyborg
hybrid, who leads the elite task force Section 9. Devoted to stopping
the most dangerous criminals and extremists, Section 9 is faced with an
enemy whose singular goal is to wipe out Hanka Robotic's advancements in
cyber technology.
"We are so pleased to be in Wellington to shoot ‘GHOST IN THE SHELL,'"
said producers Avi Arad, Ari Arad, Michael Costigan and Jeffrey Silver.
"The city boasts state-of-the-art production facilities and a rich urban
landscape that make it an ideal setting for a sci-fi action film. The
crew-base in New Zealand working on the film is first class, and working
with Sir Richard Taylor and the team at Weta Workshop is inspirational
on every level. The people of New Zealand have been terrific partners in
helping us bring this story and its beloved characters to audiences
around the world and we are thankful for their continued hospitality."
Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Pictures have entered into a marketing
agreement with the New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC), Tourism New
Zealand (TNZ), Callaghan Innovation and the Ministry of Business
Innovation and Employment (MBIE) which recognizes the significant
economic, cultural and industry development benefits the production will
bring to New Zealand. The collaboration will further promote New
Zealand's growing screen industry, develop local talent and showcase New
Zealand to the rest of the world.
"The production will broaden the perceptions of the diversity of New
Zealand's locations by showcasing a science fiction urban setting in New
Zealand," says Dave Gibson, NZFC Chief Executive.
Tourism New Zealand's Chief Executive Kevin Bowler said: "Tourism New
Zealand is thrilled to be working with Paramount Pictures for the first
time on ‘GHOST IN THE SHELL.' Film tourism is an important element in
Tourism New Zealand's work to inspire people to visit New Zealand and we
look forward to this new opportunity to showcase New Zealand to the rest
of the world."
The cast of "GHOST IN THE SHELL" includes Beat Takeshi Kitano ("MERRY
CHRISTMAS, MR. LAWRENCE," "BATTLE ROYALE" series) as Daisuke Aramaki,
Juliette Binoche ("THE ENGLISH PATIENT," "CHOCOLAT") as Dr. Ouelet,
Michael Pitt ("Hannibal," "Boardwalk Empire") as Kuze, Pilou Asbæk
("BEN-HUR," "LUCY") as Batou, and Kaori Momoi ("MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA,"
"HONG KONG CONFIDENTIAL"). The members of Section 9 are played by Chin
Han ("INDEPENDENCE DAY: RESURGENCE"), Danusia Samal ("Tyrant"), Lasarus
Ratuere ("Terra Nova"), Yutaka Izumihara ("UNBROKEN") and Tuwanda
Manyimo ("THE ROVER").
The film's crew includes Cinematographer Jess Hall ("THE SPECTACULAR
NOW"), Editor Neil Smith ("SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN"), Production
Designer Jan Roelfs ("FAST & FURIOUS 6"), and Costume Designers Kurt
Swanson and Bart Mueller ("THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY - PARTS 1& 2").
About Paramount Pictures Corporation
Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor
of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), a
leading content company with prominent and respected film, television
and digital entertainment brands. Paramount controls a collection of
some of the most powerful brands in filmed entertainment, including
Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Television, Paramount
Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV Films, and
Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Home Media
Distribution, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing
Inc., and Paramount Studio Group.
About DreamWorks Pictures
DreamWorks Pictures is a production label of Amblin Partners, a content
creation company formed by the former DreamWorks Studios, Participant
Media, Reliance Entertainment and Entertainment One (eOne). The company
develops and produces films using the Amblin, DreamWorks Pictures and
Participant banners and includes Amblin Television, a longtime leader in
quality programming. The company's first film, "Bridge of Spies," was
released to critical acclaim in October 2015. Other projects in various
stages of production include: "The Light Between Oceans," scheduled for
release by Disney in 2016; "The Girl on the Train," scheduled for
release in October 2016; "A Dog's Purpose," scheduled for release in the
first quarter of 2017; "Ready Player One," scheduled for release in
December of 2017; and "Ghost in the Shell," starring Scarlett Johansson
that is currently in production and scheduled for release in 2017.
Upcoming shows from Amblin TV include "All the Way," an HBO movie
directed by Jay Roach and starring Bryan Cranston; and "American
Gothic," a summer series that will air on CBS and begin production in
February 2016.
DreamWorks Pictures can be found at:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DreamWorksPictures
Twitter:
DW_Pictures
About the New Zealand Film Commission
The New Zealand Film Commission invests in original and culturally
significant films, encourages talented New Zealand filmmakers through
developing career pathways and facilitating connections offshore, and
works to increase the number of people seeing New Zealand films here and
overseas. It is responsible for marketing New Zealand's screen
production industry overseas and attracting international screen
productions to New Zealand. The NZFC supports the growth of economic
activity and helps ensure New Zealand has sustainable screen sector
businesses operating within an internationally competitive screen
sector. The NZFC also helps negotiate co-production treaties and
is responsible for administering the New Zealand Screen Production
Grant, the Post, Digital and Visual Effects Grant and the 5% Uplift, and
for certifying official co-productions and New Zealand films for tax
purposes.
About Tourism New Zealand
Tourism New Zealand markets New Zealand to the world as a visitor
destination. In the year ending February 2016, 3.2 million international
visitors came to New Zealand. International tourism is one of New
Zealand's largest earners of foreign exchange, adding around NZ$11.8
billion annually to the nation's economy. www.tourismnewzealand.com
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160414005815/en/
Paramount Pictures Corporation
Katie Martin Kelley, 323-956-2821
kmk@paramount.com
Source: Paramount Pictures Corporation
News Provided by Acquire Media