As Paramount’sGhost in the Shellenters its second weekend in theaters, it has already been deemed abox office bomb, with one report from earlier this week claiming that Paramount may lose between $60 million and $100 million on the movie. The project had been in development for nearly a decade before it hit theaters, and at one point during the development process,Margot Robbiewas being eyed to star, beforeScarlett Johanssonwould ultimately take over the role as Major. One of the artists who worked on the movie whenMargot Robbiewas attached shared some of his artwork, revealing whatMargot Robbiewould look like as Major.
ArtistJeff Simpsonposted three pieces of concept art on Facebook, which show a depiction ofMargot Robbiein her “shell” asMajor. The artist revealed that he created these pieces in either 2013 or 2014, but it’s likely the latter, since it was first reported thatMargot Robbiewas eyeing the movie in September 2014. Here’s what the concept artist had to say about his work on Facebook.
“I spent a tiny amount of time doing pre-production work for the new Ghost in the Shell. These were done back in 2013? 2014? WhenMargot Robbiewas gonna be the lead. Only spent a few days on it, but it was fun. Check outNivanh ChantharaandMaciej KuciaraandAsh Thorp’s work, they did some really cool designs for the film.”
In October 2014, just a month afterMargot Robbiewas being eyed for the role,Scarlett Johannsonwas targeted, after talks withMargot Robbiereportedly fell through. That report revealed that Paramount had offeredScarlett Johansson$10 million to star inGhost in the Shell, although it isn’t clear if the studio madeMargot Robbiethe same offer.Margot Robbiequickly moved on toSuicide Squad, which, likeGhost in the Shell, wasn’t a big hit with critics, although that movie did fare well at the box office. WhileGhost in the Shellopened with an underwhelming $18.6 million debut,Suicide Squadearned $325.1 million domestic and $745.6 million worldwide, from a $175 million budget. Our report from earlier this week claimed thatGhost in the Shellwould top out at $200 million worldwide. The production budget was reported at $110 million, but the combined production and publicity budget was reportedly $250 million, and other sources claim that the production budget was actually $180 million.
Even ifMargot Robbiedid win the role, it may not have changed the outcome forGhost in the Shell, which was highly criticized for its casting ofScarlett Johanssonto play The Major. In the original manga, the lead character was a Japanese female named Major Kusanagi, with Paramount distribution chiefKyle Daviesadmitting earlier this week that thewhitewashing controversylikely did have a negative impact on the lackluster box office take. At any rate, take a look at these new concept art images that show you whatMargot Robbiemay have looked like as The Major inGhost in the Shell.
