Paramount Pictures Announces “GHOST IN THE SHELL” Virtual Reality Experience, and Wide Range of Licensing & Retail Programs Supporting Movie Release in Theaters Nationwide March 31, 2017

HOLLYWOOD, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Paramount Pictures today announced a slate of partners and products in
support of the highly anticipated film GHOST IN THE SHELL, which opens
in theaters nationwide on March 31st. To further extend the excitement
of the film release, Paramount will be releasing a VR experience based
on the movie and has rolled out a line of consumer products that
strategically align with several major retailers.

Starring Scarlett Johansson, GHOST IN THE SHELL is set in the near
future, where Major is the first of her kind: A human saved from a
terrible crash, who is cyber-enhanced to be a perfect soldier devoted to
stopping the world’s most dangerous criminals. When terrorism reaches a
new level that includes the ability to hack into people’s minds and
control them, Major is uniquely qualified to stop it. As she prepares to
face a new enemy, Major discovers that she has been lied to: her life
was not saved, it was stolen. She will stop at nothing to recover her
past, find out who did this to her, and stop them before they do it to
others.

With this exciting new virtual reality experience, Paramount worked
closely with film’s director Rupert Sanders, and collaborated with
Oculus to bring GHOST IN THE SHELL to the VR platform with developer
Here Be Dragons. The content allows users to step into Major’s shoes by
engaging with iconic scenes from the movie, including the immersive
experience of Major’s dive from the rooftop and her battle with geisha
robots. They will also witness the incredible action and amazing visuals
up-close. The VR experience will be available on the same day as the
film’s release in theaters on March 31 and will be available on the
Oculus Rift and Samsung Gear VR, powered by Oculus. Consumers will also
be able to watch a 360 video of the VR experience on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GhostInTheShellMovie/.

Additionally, Paramount has created a worldwide licensing program in key
product categories to launch in conjunction with the film’s release that
will tap into the excitement of GHOST IN THE SHELL and allow fans to
engage with this amazing movie experience.

“This global program encompasses the latest in VR, targeted retail
promotion and a compelling roster of licensees in key categories that
support the film,” commented LeeAnne Stables, President of Worldwide
Marketing Partnerships & Licensing for Paramount Pictures. “We are
reaching an enthusiastic existing fan base, and delivering a broad line
of products with appeal to new audiences excited about the film”.

Partners include:

•Weta Workshop: Limited edition high-end 1/4th scale figures,
collectibles

•ThreeZero: 1/6th scale fully articulated collectible figures

•McFarlane Toys: 1/10th scale articulated figures

•Funko: Pop! Vinyl stylized figures

•CMON: Board game

•Ripple Junction: Apparel, accessories

•Cotton Division: Apparel, novelties

•Sorry, I’m Not: Limited-edition fashion capsule collection

•TeeTurtle: Co-branded on-demand apparel, accessories

•Ghoulish: Masks, costumes and makeup applications

•NerdBlock: Mystery box subscription service offering apparel, pins

•Mondo: Limited edition posters, enamel pins

•Pyramid: Posters, wall art, pins, key chains

•Gendai: Novelties, accessories

•Mtime: Novelties, collectibles

•Insight Editions: The Art of GHOST IN THE SHELL book

GHOST IN THE SHELL will also come to life in stores via multiple
strategic retail partnerships. Retailer Hot Topic will feature licensed
products, custom signage and a fan art contest offering consumers the
chance to win one of five $1,000 prizes. Hudson Jeans’ online store will
feature a curated fashion collection inspired by the film. Tilly’s
in-store TVs will be “taken-over” by the film’s trailer and customers
will get the chance to enter-to-win a trip to Tokyo. Social channels for
Books-A-Million and F.Y.E will be abuzz with digital support
highlighting licensed merchandise programs and custom signage featured
in all store locations.

©2017 Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

ABOUT GHOST IN THE SHELL
Paramount
Pictures, DreamWorks Pictures and Reliance Entertainment present Ghost
in the Shell, based on the famous Kodansha Comics manga series written
and illustrated by Shirow Masamune. The film is produced by Avi Arad,
p.g.a., Ari Arad, p.g.a., Steven Paul and Michael Costigan. Tetsu
Fujimura, Mitsuhisa Ishikawa, Jeffrey Silver and Yoshinobu Noma
executive produce. Based on the comic THE GHOST IN THE SHELL by Shirow
Masamune. Screenplay by Jamie Moss and William Wheeler and Ehren Kruger.
Directed by Rupert Sanders.

ABOUT PARAMOUNT PICTURES CORPORATION
Paramount
Pictures Corporation, a global producer and distributor of filmed
entertainment, is a unit of Viacom, a leading content company with
prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment
brands. Paramount controls a collection of some of the most powerful
brands in filmed entertainment, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount
Animation, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV
Films, and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount
Home Media Distribution, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount
Licensing Inc., and Paramount Studio Group.

Contacts

Paramount Pictures
Katie Martin Kelley
323-956-2821,
office
kmk@paramount.com