Scarlett Johansson is slated to play Major Motoko Kusanagi in the upcoming live-action remake of the legendary 'Ghost in the Shell' anime film. Though lighthearted Miyazaki films often break into the greater arena of pop culture as far as anime is concerned, the darker 'Ghost in the Shell' has proven to be one of the most enduring franchises in the world of anime.
As a whole, the 'Ghost in the Shell' franchise has been running since its inception as a manga series in 1989. The franchise's first film, with the same name and featuring cyborg police officer Major Motoko Kusanagi, has been hailed as one of the great masterworks of the medium.
The live-action 'Ghost in the Shell' film, set to be released in 2017, will be the first live-action adaptation of the franchise, and indeed one of the first live-action interpretations of an anime project in general.
Live-Action Anime Films
Scarlett Johansson is Motoko Kusanagi in the 'Ghost in the Shell' Remake
Trend Themes
1. Live-action Anime Films - The trend of creating live-action adaptations of anime films can bring new opportunities for the movie industry to attract anime fans as a new audience.
2. Popularizing Anime to Mainstream Audiences - The trend of creating live-action adaptations of classic anime franchises can popularize anime and manga culture for mainstream audiences, creating new business opportunities for retailers and content creators.
3. Reviving Classic Anime Franchises - Reviving classic anime franchises through live-action adaptations like 'Ghost in the Shell' can open up new revenue streams and create disruptive innovation opportunities for film studios and streaming services.
Industry Implications
1. Movie Industry - The movie industry can take advantage of the trend of creating live-action adaptations of anime franchises to reach new audiences and explore new markets.
2. Retail Industry - The retail industry can capitalize on the trend of popularizing anime and manga culture to mainstream audiences by targeting anime fans with merchandise and other related products.
3. Streaming Services - Streaming services can take advantage of the trend of reviving classic anime franchises through live-action adaptations to attract anime fans and create new programming that can differentiate them from competitors.