WATCH: 'Ghost in the Shell' teasers released

MAJOR. Scarlett Johansson stars as the Major in the live-action version of 'Ghost in the Shell.' Screengrab from YouTube/Paramount Pictures

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Paramount Pictures has dropped 5 teasers for the live-action movie version of the classic manga, Ghost in the Shell.

The eerie 10-second teasers show flashes of the Major, a human-cyborg hybrid who commands an elite task force called Security Section 9, coming across something strange and sinister.

"It's just the beginning," a voice says off-screen.

UPDATE: The full official trailer for Ghost in the Shell was released on February 13, and the first 5 minutes of the film was released on March 22. It opens in the Philippines on March 29.

Watch all 5 teasers below:

Ghost in the Shell is based on the 1989 manga series by Masamune Shirow and the 1995 animated movie of the same title.

This live-action version was the subject of controversy before the teasers were even released, due to the casting choice of Scarlett Johansson as the Major.

Amid the issue of diversity in Hollywood and lack of roles for Asian characters, critics questioned why a white actress was cast as the lead for a story set in futuristic Japan.

Ghost in the Shell also stars Chin Han, Danusia Samal, Lasarus Ratuere, Yutaka Izumihara, and Tuwanda Manyimo, and is directed by Rupert Sanders (Snow White and the Huntsman). – Rappler.com