Scarlett Johansson to Reteam With ‘Lucy’ Co-Star for ‘Ghost in the Shell’

Danish actor Pilou Asbæk has landed the male lead in Rupert Sanders’ adaptation of the Japanese manga

Pilou Asbaek
attends the 'A Hijacking' premiere during the 69th Venice Film Festival at the Palazzo del Cinema on September 3, 2012 in Venice, Italy.

After working with Scarlett Johansson on Luc Besson’s “Lucy,” Danish actor Pilou Asbæk will reteam with the actress for DreamWorks’ live-action adaptation of “Ghost in the Shell,” TheWrap has learned.

Based on the popular Japanese manga created by Masamune Shirow, the story follows the exploits of a member of a covert ops unit of the Japanese National Public Safety Commission, which specializes in fighting technology-related crime.

Rupert Sanders is directing the adaptation, which previously had Margot Robbie attached to star. Matthias Schoenaerts had been circling the male lead of Batou, a high-ranking warrior, which is the role that Asbæk has won, according to insiders.

Avi Arad and Steven Paul are producing the Bill Wheeler-scripted film, which has been a passion project for DreamWorks principal Steven Spielberg. Paramount will co-finance the big-budget movie, though Disney will release it on March 31, 2017. Mark Sourian serves as executive producer.

Asbæk previously starred in the acclaimed foreign film “A Hijacking” and will soon be seen as Pontius Pilate in MGM’s remake of “Ben-Hur.” He’s also set to join the cast of HBO’s “Game of Thrones” next season. He’s represented by UTA.

Variety first reported the news.

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