Some fans are not happy with Dreamworks' decision to cast Scarlet Johansson the leading lady of a possible live-action Ghost in the Shell adaptation. The creators of a Care2Petitions petition, which has already received over 28,000 signatures, calls the studio out for white-washing the film.

From the petition:

The original film is set in Japan, and the major cast members are Japanese. So why would the American remake star a white actress? The industry is already unfriendly to Asian actors without roles in major films being changed to exclude them. One recent survey found that in 2013, Asian characters made up only 4.4% of speaking roles in top-grossing Hollywood films. Dreamworks could be using this film to help provide opportunities for Asian-American actors in a market with few opportunities for them to shine -- please sign the petition asking them to reconsider casting Scarlett Johansson in Ghost in the Shell and select actors who are truer to the cast of the original film!

Actresses like Pacific Rim's Rinko Kikuchi have been cited by some as being a better choice for the role.

Those seeking a more in-depth look at the issue at hand can check out this piece in Racebending by site co-founder Marissa Lee.

What do you think about the issue? Let us know in the forums!

Thanks to Daniel Zelter for the tip!

[Via KPopStarz, Franchise Herald]