Scar-Jo Will Star In "Ghost In The Shell" Redux

Scarlett Johansson has officially agreed to take the lead role in the 3D live-action film adaptation of the Japanese manga, anime and game franchise "Ghost in the Shell" says Variety. Talks with "The Wolf Of Wall Street" and "Tarzan" star Margot Robbie reached an impasse.

The story follows a member of a covert ops unit of the Japanese National Public Safety Commission that specializes in fighting technology-related crime.

Masamune Shirow created the futuristic police thriller in 1989 as manga. It went on to spawn two more manga editions, three anime films, an anime TV series and several video games.

William Wheeler ("The Reluctant Fundamentalist") wrote the initial adapted script. Bill Wheeler wrote the latest draft from which Rupert Sanders ("Snow White And The Huntsman") is set to direct.

 Avi Arad, Steven Paul, and Mark Sourian are producing.

The film is a passion project of Steven Spielberg's.

Paramount has the option to join the project as a co-producer and financier, with the decision expected to be made in a few weeks.