Ghost in the Shell: Scarlett Johansson's character has a Japanese mother, played by Kaori Momoi

The Memoirs of Geisha actor spoke highly of working with Johansson

Earlier this week, on casting Scarlett Johansson as the lead protagonist in Ghost in the Shell, producer Steven Paul said: “Ghost in the Shell was a very international story, and it wasn’t just focused on Japanese; it was supposed to be an entire world. That’s why I say the international approach is the right approach to it.”

From those comments, as well as the rest of the interview, you would be inclined to think the upcoming film is distancing itself from being inherently Japanese, therefore offering some explanation as to why Johansson’s character isn’t played by a Japanese actor.

(Plus, Paul added that Major Kusanagi, as she is known in the manga comics, will only be referred to as The Major in the film, again distancing the Hollywood production from its Japanese roots.)

Yet, in an interview with AP, Kaori Momoi, a Japanese actor who appeared in Memoirs of a Geisha, was revealed to be playing Johansson’s mother in the film, confusing fans once more as it turns out the main character is at least half-Japanese.

To many fans, this has come as quite a contradiction, as why would they distance The Major from the Kusanagi, only to make her half-Japanese? It's also surprising that the filmmakers are persuing the Japanese aspect of the character, yet haven't hired a Japanese actor.

Of course, there could be numerous explanations - perhaps she is adopted - but the news has not sat well with some fans.

Momoi went on to praise Johansson, saying “I felt blessed to have worked with her,” while also describing Hollywood as an amazing opportunity for Asian actors. "Compared to Japan, there is so much potential and recognition in the U.S. for independent films,” she told the news agency.

Meanwhile, comic author Jon Tsuei said of Ghost in the Shell: “You can ‘Westernise’ the story if you want, but at that point it is no longer Ghost In the Shell because the story is simply not Western.” The film hits UK cinemas 31 March 2017.