American actress Scarlett Johansson will star in the live action remake of the cult classic anime film "Ghost in the Shell," based on the manga of the same name. The actress has recently appeared in various action films, and this could be another step in her becoming a well-known action star.

It had been rumored for some time that a live action version of the popular anime will be made, but until Monday's news nothing was official. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Johansson, 30, has signed on to appear in the DreamWorks Pictures project.

Based on Masamune Shirow's manga, "The Ghost in the Shell" film, directed by Mamoru Oshii, was first released in 1995 and tells the story of Major Motoko Kusanagi of Japan's National Public Safety Commission and is set in the 2030s. Kusanagi, known as the Major, is a cyborg police officer in a cyber counterterrorist team. The film has been a cult classic alongside "Akira."

The film, which has no release date yet, is being directed by Rupert Sanders ("Snow White and the Huntsman"), and the script was written by Bill Wheeler.

Deadline reported in October Johansson had been made an offer worth $10 million to participate in the film. However, it has not been reported what role she will play, though it is highly likely she will play the Major.

However, as The Guardian points out, could Johansson play a Japanese character in a film set in Japan? The issue of whitewashing in Hollywood has come up before with other movies, most recently "Exodus." "The Ghost in the Shell" remake will succeed based on how well the film is done, regardless of who plays the lead.

Fans are furious, nonetheless.

The Daily Dot reports fans have taken to social media to complain about Johansson playing Kusanagi. Although, as the Daily Dot points out, since Kusanagi is a cyborg, she has the ability to change bodies, allowing the writer to keep the casting of Johansson true to the story.

Still, Johansson could be playing someone else in the film.