Scarlett Johansson, the lead actress for Dreamworks' adaptation of "Ghost In The Shell" confirms production will begin in early 2016.

In an interview with Collider, the "Avengers: Age of Ultron" star re-assured that the live-action movie is "happening."

"It will be shooting the beginning of next year," Johansson revealed. So I think we start production January or February and it's me and Rupert [Sanders]; and that's all I know."

Since Johansson was announced as the lead in the movie her casting has been shrouded in controversy. Several petitions against Hollywood white washing have demanded that the role should be given to an Asian actress. Here's an excerpt of a petition published by Jewish Business News.

"The original film is set in Japan, and the major cast members are Japanese. So why would the American remake star a white actress? The industry is already unfriendly to Asian actors without roles in major films being changed to exclude them. One recent survey found that in 2013, Asian characters made up only 4.4% of speaking roles in top-grossing Hollywood films." 

The movie will be helmed by "Snow White and the Huntsman" director Rupert Sanders.

Dreamworks partner and veteran director Steven Spielberg acquired the rights to "Ghost In The Shell" in 2009, with plans on releasing its first live-action adaptation. A self-confessed fan of the franchise, Spielberg made several attempts at an adaptation but nothing ever reached production.

Originally released as a Japanese manga comic, "Ghost In The Shell" made its first appearance in the pages of Young Magazine between 189 and 1990. The title gained notoriety after director Mamoru Oshii adapted Masamune Shirow's story into an animated feature in 1995. 

The success of the film spawned an animated series titled "Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex. It aired on kids channel Animax in 2002 and ran for a second season bearing the subtitle "Second Gig."

The animated feature was followed up in 2004 with "Ghost In The Shell: Innocence," and highlighted the main character's sidekick, Batou. Another sequel called "Ghost In The Shell: Solid State Society" released in 2006.

The plot usually follows main character Major Motoko Kusanagi, a cyborg soldier and her team of operatives collectively known as Section 9 as they battle cybercrime in a futuristic Japan.