<P> In 2008, DreamWorks (who handled U.S. theatrical distribution of Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence through its Go Fish Pictures banner) and Steven Spielberg acquired the rights to produce a live - action film adaptation of the original manga . Avi Arad and Steven Paul were later confirmed as producers, with Jamie Moss to write the screenplay . In October 2009, it was announced that Laeta Kalogridis had replaced Moss as writer . On January 24, 2014, it was reported that Rupert Sanders would direct the film, with a screenplay by William Wheeler . Wheeler worked on the script for approximately a year and a half, later saying, "It's a vast enterprise . I think I was second or third in the mix, and I know there have been at least six or seven writers ." Jonathan Herman also worked on the screenplay . Ultimately, credit for the screenplay was given to Moss, William Wheeler and Ehren Kruger . </P> <P> On September 3, 2014, Margot Robbie was in early talks for the lead role . On October 16, it was announced that DreamWorks had made a $10 million offer to Scarlett Johansson for the lead role after Robbie's talks for the role fell apart when she was cast as Harley Quinn in Suicide Squad . In May 2015, Paramount Pictures agreed to co-produce and co-finance the film . On November 10, 2015, Pilou Asbæk was cast in the film for the role of Batou . According to TheWrap, Matthias Schoenaerts was circling the role of Batou that went to Asbæk . On November 19, 2015, it was reported that Sam Riley was in early talks to join the film for the villain role as Kuze, the leader of most dangerous criminals and extremists . But, on February 4, 2016, Variety reported that Michael Pitt was in talks for the role . On March 3, 2016, TheWrap reported that Japanese actor Takeshi Kitano had been cast as Daisuke Aramaki, the founder and leader of the elite unit Section 9 tasked with protecting the world from the most dangerous technological threats . </P> <P> Principal photography on the film began on location in Wellington, New Zealand, on February 1, 2016 . In April 2016, the full cast was announced, which included Juliette Binoche, Chin Han, Lasarus Ratuere and Kaori Momoi . In May 2016, Rila Fukushima was cast in a role . Filming wrapped up in New Zealand on June 3, 2016 . Filming also took place in the Yau Ma Tei and Jordan areas of Hong Kong, around Pak Hoi Street and Woosung Street on June 7, 8 and 10 or 14--16 . </P> <P> Ghost in the Shell was originally scheduled by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures for an April 14, 2017, release through their Touchstone Pictures banner . The film was part of DreamWorks' distribution deal with Walt Disney Studios, which began in 2009 . In April 2015, Disney moved the film's release date in North America to March 31, 2017, with Paramount Pictures handling international distribution . However, it was reported in September 2015 that DreamWorks and Disney would not renew their distribution deal, which was set to expire in August 2016 . In January 2016, Disney dropped the film from its release slate after DreamWorks' distribution deal with Universal Pictures was finalized in December 2015 . Disney's distribution rights for the film were transferred completely to Paramount instead of Universal, with Paramount retaining Disney's release date of March 31, 2017 . Unusually, the film was not screened for critics before its release . </P>

Where was the ghost in the shell filmed