"Ghost in the Shell" Will Film in Hong Kong—and There's Still No Asian Lead

Filming for the live-action adaptation of classic anime "Ghost in the Shell" will take place along Pak Hoi Street and Woosung Street next week, in Yau Ma Tei and Jordan.

The film has been in the news amid claims of "whitewashing” when Scarlett Johansson was cast in the leading role of cyborg policewoman Major Kusanagi, instead of a Japanese or Asian actress.

While the film is mostly being shot in New Zealand, Hong Kong is an essential part of the tale. In the original 1995 anime, director Mamoru Oshii based the film's visual aesthetic and setting on the real-life streets of Hong Kong, turning it into a fantastical city in 2029:

Mark your calendars: Shooting will take place from 2pm to 6am on June 7, 8 and 10 (or June 14, 15, and 16 if things don’t go according to plan). We called the production company, and a spokesperson told us that only body doubles will be used during the filming.