HomeMain MenuPress ReleasesBEAT TAKESHI KITANO JOINS PARAMOUNT PICTURES AND DREAMWORKS PICTURES’ “GHOST IN THE...

BEAT TAKESHI KITANO JOINS PARAMOUNT PICTURES AND DREAMWORKS PICTURES’ “GHOST IN THE SHELL”

BEAT TAKESHI KITANO JOINS PARAMOUNT PICTURES AND DREAMWORKS PICTURES’ “GHOST IN THE SHELL”

HOLLYWOOD, CA (March 4, 2016) – Beat Takeshi Kitano has joined the cast of Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Pictures’ “GHOST IN THE SHELL” alongside Scarlett Johansson. Rupert Sanders will direct the film, which is based on the famous Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Masamune Shirow.

Kitano will play Daisuke Aramaki, the founder and leader of the elite unit Section 9 tasked with protecting the world from the most dangerous technological threats.

Paramount Pictures will release the film in the U.S. on March 31, 2017.

“GHOST IN THE SHELL” is produced by Avi Arad, Ari Arad and Steven Paul. Michael Costigan, Tetsu Fujimura, Mitsuhisa Ishikawa, whose animation studio Production I.G produced the Japanese “GHOST IN THE SHELL” film and television series, and Jeffrey Silver will executive produce.

Based on the internationally-acclaimed sci-fi property, “GHOST IN THE SHELL” follows a female special ops cyborg who leads an elite task force called Section 9. Section 9 is devoted to stopping the most dangerous criminals and extremists, led by an enemy whose singular goal is to wipe out Hanka Robotic’s advancements in cyber technology.

“This film tells the story of mankind in the near future in a unique setting. My role Aramaki is a unique and attractive character. The story revolves around the human relationships of the characters,” said Kitano. “This film will be stylish and entertaining, which is completely different from the type of movies I direct myself. This excited me and was the reason I decided to participate in this film.”

His most recent Hollywood film was “JOHNNY MNEMONIC” in which he co-starred with Keanu Reeves.

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About Paramount Pictures Corporation

Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. Paramount controls a collection of some of the most powerful brands in filmed entertainment, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Television, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV Films, and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Home Media Distribution, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., and Paramount Studio Group.

About DreamWorks Pictures

DreamWorks Pictures is a production label of Amblin Partners, a content creation company formed by the former DreamWorks Studios, Participant Media, Reliance Entertainment and Entertainment One (eOne). The company develops and produces films using the Amblin, DreamWorks Pictures and Participant banners and includes Amblin Television, a longtime leader in quality programming. The company’s first film, “Bridge of Spies,” was released to critical acclaim in October 2015.  Other projects in various stages of production include: “The Light Between Oceans,” scheduled for release by Disney in 2016; “The Girl on the Train,” scheduled for release in October 2016; “A Dog’s Purpose,” scheduled for release in the first quarter of 2017; “Ready Player One,” scheduled for release in December of 2017; and “Ghost in the Shell,” starring Scarlett Johansson that is currently in development and scheduled for release in 2017.  Upcoming shows from Amblin TV include “All the Way,” an HBO movie directed by Jay Roach and starring Bryan Cranston; and “American Gothic,” a summer series that will air on CBS and begin production in February 2016.