Walt Disney Pictures made an official announcement that the live-action adaptation of "Ghost in the Shell', a production by DreamWorks Pictures, will have an earlier release date in 2017.
Helmed by Rupert Sanders ("Snow White and the Huntsman'), the upcoming film starring Scarlett Johansson has been set to hit theaters on March 31, 2017 instead of the original proposed date of April 14, 2017.
The "Lucy' and "Avengers: Age of Ultron' star will take on a leading role in the live-action adaptation of the highly popular manga series created by Masamune Shirow.
Its story revolves around the members of the public security agency Section 9 and their hunt for a mysterious hacker referred to as the Puppet Master. With the support of her team, Motoko Kusanagi is able to track down the suspect but is led on to a tangled web of political lies and controversy.
The first animated feature adaptation of "Ghost in the Shell' was created in 1995.
The release date of its film version may have changed possibly due to the announcement of the "Fast & Furious 8' being released on April 14 of the same year.
"Ghost in the Shell' will be released in the same week that "The Smurfs' reboot will have its debut and a week after "The Divergent Series: Allegiant Part 2' hits theaters.
With the assistance of Steven Spielberg, Sanders will direct the manga series' film adaptation based on the script written by William Wheeler. Avi Arad and Steven Paul will also join the team as producers.
Meanwhile, Johansson has already confirmed that filming for "Ghost in the Shell' will begin early next year as she pointed out during a press conference for "Avengers: Age of Ultron.'
"It's happening. It will be shooting the beginning of next year, so I think we start production January or February and it's me and Rupert [Sanders]; and that's all I know", the 30-year-old actress shared.
After being adapted into a film, TV anime and original video animation (OVA) series, such OVA has been compiled once again for a re-release titled "Ghost in the Shell Arise: Alternative Architecture', which was unveild this year on April 5 and incorporates two more episodes to the OVA's first four episodes.
In addition, there will reportedly be a new animated "Ghost in the Shell' film to hit theaters this summer in Japan.
