Variety reports that DreamWorks has acquired rights to Masamune Shirow's cyberpunk manga "Ghost in the Shell" and is aiming to adapt it as a 3-D live-action film.

The comic was originally published in 1989 and spawned two additional manga series, three animated films, and two television series. The second film, "Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence," was brought to the U.S. by DreamWorks.

Universal and Sony reportedly also sought the movie rights, but Steven Spielberg ultimately won out. He said, "'Ghost in the Shell' is one of my favorite stories. It's a genre that has arrived, and we enthusiastically welcome it to DreamWorks."

Seaside Entertainment's Avi Arad, Ari Arad, and Steven Paul are producing. Jamie Moss is handling the script. No production dates have been revealed yet.