Ghost in the Shell trailer: Scarlett Johansson's Major unlocks her past

The manga adaptation has received considerable backlash for casting Johansson in what's perceived as a distinctly Japanese role

The second trailer for the cinematic adaptation of the Japanese manga Ghost in the Shell offers us a far better look at the upcoming sci-fi flick.

Scarlett Johansson takes on the role of Major, a special-ops, one-of-a-kind human-cyber hybrid, who leads the elite task force Section 9 devoted to stopping the most dangerous criminals and extremists; with this trailer pushing a better focus on the Major's attempts to understand her hidden past, and the life she left behind.

Though the trailer promises some stunning, futuristic visuals; what's been shown so far does little to quieten the whitewashing controversy surrounding this film, showing a distinctly Japanese setting but with the focus being largely placed on Johansson, Juliette Binoche, Michael Pitt, and Danish actor Pilou Asbæk.

Fans had already expressed their dismay at the news Johansson would be cast in the lead role of (the clearly Japanese) Motoko Kusanagi, and the first image of the actor in the role seemed only to solidify the dissonance of her casting.

A defining voice in the backlash was Ming Na-Wen, the voice of Disney's Mulan and current star of Marvel television series Agents of Shield; with comic writer Jon Tsuei explaining Ghost in the Shell actually ties into something deeply rooted within Japanese identity and to whitewash its story is to strip it of its weight, power, and relevance.

Producer Steven Paul has defended the decision by stating that fans are "going to end up being really happy with it" and that the film isn't distinctly Japanese, but takes place in "an international world"; though Kaori Momoi has revealed she'll be - confusingly - playing Johansson's mother in the film, leaving the film in a particularly perilous position when it comes to navigating the cultural issues brought up by this approach to adaptation.

Johansson herself finally addressed the controversy, as well; stating, "I certainly would never presume to play another race of a person. Diversity is important in Hollywood, and I would never want to feel like I was playing a character that was offensive."

Ghost in the Shell hits UK cinemas 31 March.