'Ghost in the Shell' Director Defends Controversial Scarlett Johansson Casting

After the Ghost in the Shell trailer officially debuted earlier today, director Rupert Sanders is defending the casting of Scarlett Johansson, despite claims of white-washing.

“I cast very much from the gut,” Rupert said (via ET). “I think whenever you cast someone, someone’s going to be critical of it. To me, I stand by my decision. She’s the best actress of her generation, and I was flattered and honored that she would be in this film.”

“I was very lucky to get an amazing international cast of people that I’ve always really wanted to work with. Scarlett was one of those people,” Rupert continued. “There are very few actresses who’ve had 20 years of experience, who have the cyberpunk aesthetic already baked in. She comes from such edgy films, from Lost in Translation to Under the Skin. She’s got an incredibly body of work and her attitude and toughness is, to me, The Major.”

Also pictured: Scarlett Johansson, co-star Takeshi Kitano, and Rupert Sanders at the trailer launch for Ghost in the Shell at the Tabloid on Sunday (November 13) in Tokyo, Japan.