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David Anderson
Matthew Stockett
English 2010
19 April 2016
Rogerian Letter
Audience: Rupert Sanders, director of the upcoming Ghost in the Shell live-action adaptation
Dear Mr. Sanders,
Congratulations on securing another big-budget directing job! Your upcoming project, a
live-action Ghost in the Shell film adaptation, has a lot of fans very excited, myself included.
Only a couple years ago Id have dismissed out of hand the notion that this franchise could be
adapted for a mass audience in the west. Surely, Id think, the plot and concepts presented are too
nuanced and strange to do well in a market so focused on action and achievement. Throwing a
Hollywood budget at a story so defiantly cerebral seems crazy, but this has been an era of
miracles in entertainment. Impossibly strange ideas are selling like gangbusters, usually without
anyones artistic integrity being threatened. One of the biggest shows on TV right now is a
prequel to a series about a chemistry teacher cooking meth. Rocket Raccoon is an objectively
asinine character but Guardians of the Galaxy is one of 2014s most beloved films and Chris
Pratt is a millionaire now. Theyre even making a Warcraft movie that looks like it might not be
terrible! Your producers must have sensed it, and I agree with them: if there has ever been a time
to adapt some sci-fi anime to the big screen in America its right the hell now.

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Given the timing of this letter, Im sure youve surmised that Im not just writing to tell
you how much I love that this movie is getting made. The first photo of Scarlett Johansson in
costume as Major Kusanagi recently got some press, and boy was the internet mad about it! As
her casting was announced months ago I think its kind of surprising that people are pooping
their pants about it just now, but maybe this just wasnt real to them until they had visual data.
Whos to say? But the pants have been pooped, make no mistake, and youre getting the worst of
the tantrum. Youve been at the receiving end of all sorts of rage. Id bet youve had the phrases
whitewashing and appropriation shouted at you more in the last week or so than most
directors hear in a lifetime. Ive got to say, while I think the tempo and intensity of the angry
think pieces about casting a white woman in this role are mostly blogs and other outlets just
stirring the pot to get clicks, some of them may really have a point.
Many defenders of this casting decision have pointed out that the reaction in Japan has
not been one of outrage, but surprise at the outrage expressed by Americans. I think they may be
missing the point, as those that are most incensed by this decision are Americans of Asian
descent; most particularly Asian-American actresses like Ming-Na Wen. Confusingly, this is a
uniquely American controversy. I doubt very much that actors of Japanese descent have any
particular trouble landing roles in Japan, at least not based on their ethnicity. This isnt the case
in the states.
Now, I know what youre thinking. Heres yet another self-righteous moron who thinks
their white guilt makes them the moral authority on all things even vaguely having to do with
ethnicity. I cant blame you, this whole internet outrage thing is swarming with very vocal
hypocrites, constantly trying deflect their guilt at whatever buzzword has traction at the time.
This isnt to say the discussion around the role of race in Hollywood is just mindless shouting, I

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think this is an important ongoing conversation, but shouting down artists that have to make
difficult decisions in a racist world is not constructive to the goal of equality. Im not writing to
give you a hard time. Im writing because I think you can save this movie from suffering
monetarily because of the controversy surrounding it. Im writing because I think you should
consider apologizing.
Please dont believe that I think you should feel some kind of guilt over all this, I dont. I
doubt this was even your decision. Even if it was, Scarlett Johansson is a great pick for the role.
Playing brilliant, contemplative bad-asses is her bread and butter. But taking an opportunity of
the kind many Asian actresses dream of their whole lives and giving it to an already successful
white actress is not a good look. Whatever the actual reasons for casting Johansson, the public is
perceiving it as racism, and perceived reality will always be more important than actuality when
it comes to selling a product. Even if I would personally prefer to see an Asian actress in this
role, as a fan of this franchise Id still like to see the movie do well. In order for the movie to do
well, youre going to have to address the controversy surrounding it.
Make a public statement, a tweet or something (anything!). Reach out and express sorrow
for the feelings that have been hurt. Tell people you simply thought Johansson was right for the
character. Point out that unlike some similarly criticized films, like Gods of Egypt or any movie
about Jesus, your version of Ghost in the Shell actually has many people of color in its cast. I
implore you, dont appear arrogant in the publics eyes by focusing on the importance of star
power to sell the movie and dismissing completely the accusations of whitewashing. The public
loves humble artists and hates cynicism around questions of race; Im afraid the only solution
that makes sense is an apology. So I ask you: please do all you can for this films success and

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apologize publicly for those feelings that have been hurt in such a way that people wont be
inclined to make a statement by boycotting the movie.
Thank you for time. I look forward to seeing Ghost in the Shell in the theatre next year
and appreciate you bringing a new perspective to such an awesome franchise.
-David Anderson.

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Works Cited
Wen, Ming-Na (@MingNa). "Nothing against Scarlett Johansson. In fact, I'm a big fan. But everything
against this Whitewashing of Asian role." 14 April 2016, 8:05 a.m. Tweet.