December 26, 2024 09:03 AM

Original 'Ghost in the Shell' Movie To Hit US Theaters In February

The original 1995 "Ghost in the Shell" movie will be hitting the US theaters this coming February. Through the partnership of Funimation and Lionsgate, the hit anime film will have a limited two-day comeback on 110 theaters nationwide. The fans of the anime turned pop culture will have a chance to see the inspiration behind the live-action movie that is slated to release on March 31.

The moviegoers will have the original Japanese version on February 7, while the English dubbed version will be screened on February 8. According to Anime News Network, Lionsgate will subsequently release a deluxe collector's edition containing a remastered original on Blu-Ray with Digital HD. This collectible will sport a steelbook packaging and Mondo artwork that will be available on March 7.

"Ghost in the Shell" is based on the original manga series written by Masamune Shirow. The series quickly gained popularity ultimately lead to being adopted into an anime film in 1995. Production I.G took over the project and was headed by director Mamoru Oshii.

Movie Web reported that the anime film was ahead of its time during its release in 1995. It quickly grew and became a pop culture phenomenon which transformed the future mainstream movies. The movie became the first anime film to rank number 1 on Billboard video sales garnering 1.5 million copies sold.

The release of "Ghost in the Shell: New Movie" last 2015 and the upcoming live-action adaptation this end of March, ushered the resurgence of fan's interest in the franchise. "'Ghost in the Shell' is an iconic property and it is great that fans will be able to watch it on the big screen for the first time in 20 years," said Kevin Carney, VP for Marketing of Lionsgate.

The special screenings of the film will be followed by the Hollywood adaptation of the film. Rupert Sanders will be directing the film and will feature Scarlett Johansson which will play the lead heroine Makoto 'Major'Kusanagi.

Tags
Ghost in the shell, Scarlett johansson ghost in the shell
Join the Discussion
Real Time Analytics