'Ghost in the Shell' release date, latest news: Paramount releases new international trailer

Paramount Pictures recently unveiled a new international trailer for the upcoming "Ghost in the Shell" movie, starring popular Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson.

According to Movie Web, the new international trailer does not feature any significant new footage that hasn't been shown in prior promotional videos, including the first "Ghost in the Shell" trailer released in November. However, the new trailer does include a few additional seconds-long shots, Japanese subtitles, and a voice over narration.

According to its official synopsis, "Ghost in the Shell" focuses on the story of the Major (Johansson), a one-of-a-kind human-cyborg hybrid, who is also the leader of the elite task force Section 9. In fulfilling their mission to stop the most dangerous criminals and extremists, Section 9 will be dealing with an enemy whose main objective is to wipe out Hanka Robotic's breakthroughs in cyber technology.

The movie is based on a popular Japanese manga of the same name, and it centers on the story of Kusanagi (known as The Major in the film), who is supposedly a female character of Asian descent. Hence, many people have accused those behind the development of the film of whitewashing, bringing to light issues about Hollywood diversity and representation. Some have argued that a non-white actor should have been cast to play the originally non-white role.

Directed by "Snow White and the Huntsman" director Rupert Sanders, the upcoming manga adaptation stars Johansson in the lead role of The Major, Pilou Asbæk as Batou, and Beat Takeshi (a.k.a. Takeshi Kitano) as Public Security Section 9 founder and chief Daisuke Aramaki.

Also included in the cast are actors Juliette Binoche, Kaori Momoi, and Rila Fukushima. Other Section 9 task force members will be portrayed by Chin Han, Danusia Samal, Lasarus Ratuere, Yutaka Izumihara, and Tawanda Manyimo.

The upcoming film "Ghost in the Shell" is scheduled to hit theaters on March 31, 2017.