The film is based on a famous manga series of drawings titled 'Ghost in the Shell', owned by Kodansha Comics and written and illustrated by Shirow Masamune. The film tells the story of The Major, a cyborg-human female only hybrid in the world who runs an elite task force called Section 9. Destined to arrest the most dangerous criminals and extremists, Section 9 faces an enemy whose main objective is to nullify the progress of Robotic Hanka in the field of cyber-technology.

Directed by Rupert Sanders ( 'Snow White and the Huntsman'), the cast is composed of Takeshi Kitano ( 'Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence') in the role of Daisuke Aramaki, Juliette Binoche ( 'Chocolat') in the role of Dr. Ouelet, Michael Pitt ( 'Hannibal') in the role of Kuze, Pilou Asbæk ( 'Lucy') in the role of Batou and Kaori Momoi ( "Memoirs of a geisha '), Chin Han (' Independence Day. Counterattack '), Danusia Samal (' Tyrant '), Lasarus Ratuere (' Terra Nova '), Yutaka Izumihara (' Invincible ') and Tuwanda Manyimo (' The Rover ').

The filming took place in New Zealand following the agreement between Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Pictures Film Commission with the country.