Ghost In The Shell ‘whitewashing’: Scarlett Johansson responds to movie 'race row'

The tale was originally a manga that was made into a dark animated movie in 1995, then remade again in 2015.

Now, it’s getting a Western live-action version directed by Rupert Sanders, with Johansson as the Major (originally called Motoko).

It’s been noted, however, that previous portrayals of the character have been as an Asian human-cyborg hybrid – so despite the new film’s nods to its manga roots in all of its promotional material, the casting has raised eyebrows.

Now, speaking to Marie Claire, Johansson said: “I certainly would never presume to play another race of a person.

“Diversity is important in Hollywood, and I would never want to feel like I was playing a character that was offensive.”

She added: “Also, having a franchise with a female protagonist driving it is such a rare opportunity. Certainly, I feel the enormous pressure of that — the weight of such a big property on my shoulders.”

Directed by Rupert Sanders, the sci-fi blockbuster is due out in both the US and UK on March 31.

A new trailer was released last night, coinciding with the high-profile Super Bowl advertising frenzy.

Johansson, one of the world’s top-earning performers, has a busy year ahead, as she’s also set to be seen in Rock That Body and will be filming Avengers: Infinity War.

She’s also signed up to Isle Of Dogs alongside Bryan Cranston, Tilda Swinton, Bill Murray and Jeff Goldblum.

Ghost In The Shell arrives on March 31.