Movies

'Ghost In The Shell' Has To Face Whitewashing Criticism At Box Office

It's a consistent critique of Hollywood: Studios place white actors in roles when the source material is based on characters of color.

'Ghost In The Shell' Has To Face Whitewashing Criticism At Box Office
Paramount Pictures / "Ghost in the Shell"
SMS

Scarlett Johansson is going into this week with the premiere of "Ghost in the Shell." And while critics are fairly split on this movie, there is one potential problem — the whitewashing controversy. 

It's one of the most consistent critiques of Hollywood — studios placing white actors in roles when the source material is based on characters of color. The mere accusation has sunk the box office hopes of big-budget films like "The Great Wall" and "Gods of Egypt" before.

"Ghost in the Shell" cost the folks at Paramount Pictures about $110 million to produce, but they are anticipating a large overseas showing at the box office. Despite any potential controversy, analysts are still predicting a $20 million to $30 million showing. 

Hollywood Is Lacking Movie Directors Who Aren't White Men
Hollywood Is Lacking Movie Directors Who Aren't White Men

Hollywood Is Lacking Movie Directors Who Aren't White Men

A study looked at the directors of 1,000 top-grossing films and found female and minority directors are underrepresented.

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Either way, there's still plenty of snot-nosed kids and nostalgic parents who want to hear "Be Our Guest" for the millionth time, so you can count on "Beauty and the Beast" holding on to its top spot.