Comin’ in hot with the fire of the Lord of Light behind her—all the way from the mean streets of Volantis—actress Rila Fukushima has joined the cast of Paramount’s upcoming Ghost in the Shell adaptation. The actress, also known for her work in The Wolverine and on CW’s Arrow, joins a cast that features several of her Game of Thrones co-stars alongside Scarlett Johansson in the starring role.
The news comes to us via The Hollywood Reporter—though sources have also confirmed the news with Nerdist—but unfortunately there were no details revealed about Fukushima’s actual role. Given her previous work as Katana on Arrow and the ninja Yukio in Wolverine, our money is on hers being a role that kicks serious ass. (Perhaps a member of Kusanagi’s crime-fighting team?) Of course, given her stoic, commanding nature as a Red Priestess on Thrones, we could also see her playing someone with a bit more gravitas on a political and/or commanding, sage-y leader type. Maybe Yoko Kayabuki?
Either way, given the controversy surrounding some of the film’s whitewashed characters, any additional diversity is a welcome change in creating a more accurately realized version of the manga world.
The cast of Ghost in the Shell is fairly impressive, with Johansson’s supporting cast consisting of the likes of Michael Pitt, Juliette Binoche, Takeshi Kitano, Kaori Momoi, Chin Han, Sanusia Samal, Lasarus Ratuere, Yutaka Izumihara, and Tuwanda Manyimo. Thrones actors Joe Naufahu and Pilou Asbæk also have roles in the film: Naufahu plays a cop, and Asbæk—who was in Lucy with Johansson and plays Euron Greyjoy on Thrones—is tackling Batou, Kusanagi’s second in command.
What do you think of the casting news? Have any thoughts on Ghost in the Shell? Let us know in the comments below.
Image: HBO
Alicia Lutes is Managing Editor of Nerdist and co-host of Fangirling. Find her on Twitter (@alicialutes).
