Paramount Pictures continues to release promotional material for its upcoming Ghost in the Shell live-action feature film, adapted from the popular anime/mange series of the same name. Most of the film’s marketing continues to focus on Scarlett Johansson as the movie’s lead character - the Major - as do conversations about Johansson being cast in the role of a previously-Japanese character.

Paramount has now released a series of motion posters spotlighting not only the Major, but several other integral characters from Ghost in the Shell. There are eight motion posters in all, giving audiences a chance to preemptively get to know what is sure to be a sizable cast.

Complete with sound, the motion posters (see below) give a cyber-punk future introduction to the cast that fits well with the tone of the movie. In addition to the Major, Batou, Aramaki, Ishikawa, Borma, Saito, Ladriya and Togusa are all featured. Each character gets a few seconds to have their weapons on display and nod at what their particular set of skills will be in Ghost in the Shell.

Scarlett Johansson is Major. #GhostInTheShell pic.twitter.com/vJwrTItEhV— Ghost In The Shell (@GhostInShell) February 27, 2017

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Pilou Asbaek is Batou. #GhostInTheShell pic.twitter.com/0UcYOUFdWT— Ghost In The Shell (@GhostInShell) February 27, 2017

Takeshi Kitano is Aramaki. #GhostInTheShell pic.twitter.com/2Sh7XM7Niq— Ghost In The Shell (@GhostInShell) February 27, 2017

Lasarus Ratuere is Ishikawa. #GhostInTheShell pic.twitter.com/cdp5xdjtg2— Ghost In The Shell (@GhostInShell) February 27, 2017

Tawanda Manyimo is Borma. #GhostInTheShell pic.twitter.com/8ix8xsVXOJ— Ghost In The Shell (@GhostInShell) February 27, 2017

Yutaka Izumihara is Saito. #GhostInTheShell pic.twitter.com/aBUhpA96vX— Ghost In The Shell (@GhostInShell) February 27, 2017

Danusia Samal is Ladriya. #GhostInTheShell pic.twitter.com/A7zYyWySrX— Ghost In The Shell (@GhostInShell) February 27, 2017

Chin Han is Togusa. #GhostInTheShell pic.twitter.com/hetCiAdPnl— Ghost In The Shell (@GhostInShell) February 27, 2017

In addition to Johansson, Ghost in the Shell stars Pilou Asbek (who worked with Johansson on Lucy), Takeshi Kitano who works almost exclusively in Japan, Lasarus Ratuere (The Leftovers), Tawanda Manyimo (Flat3), Yutaka Izumihara (The Pacific), Danusia Samal (Tyrant), and Chin Han who also worked with Johansson previously in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Each of these actors are featured in the motion posters.

The idea of these motion posters is pretty cool. It leans into that futuristic Matrix-esque aesthetic that fans of Ghost in the Shell expect. It’s also a clever marketing move for Paramount that will set them aside from other studios. While not as bold as the marketing campaigns Fox has undertaken for movies such as Logan, it is refreshing to get new content that gives more of a peek inside the world of the movie, rather than just a flat image on display.

On the other hand, there isn’t that much more than can be gleaned from these motion posters beyond the costumes and weaponry. They could have made a better case for Ghost in the Shell if each character had executed a fight pose or a single move. Paramount is going to have an uphill battle with some audience members to try and get them to come to this movie and this was an opportunity to make a good case. It’s about halfway successful, in the end.

Source: Paramount Pictures

  • Ghost in the Shell Release Date: 2017-03-31