This morning brings word that Michael Pitt has signed on to join the upcoming live-action Ghost in the Shell movie.

The Hollywood Reporter has word that the hugely talented actor, best known for the likes of Hannibal, Boardwalk Empire, The Dreamers and the Funny Games redo, will be playing the villain of the piece, The Laughing Man. The rogue debuted in the Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex series, and he’s depicted as an expert hacker who is able to remove his face from any and all digital images, replacing himself with his own logo and the Catcher in the Rye-inspired quote of “I thought what I’d do was, I’d pretend I was one of those deaf-mutes”.

Pitt is the second cast member to join this live-action Western take on an all-time classic manga series, with him set to star opposite Scarlett Johansson. Rupert Sanders is to direct from a Jonathan Herman screenplay.

At present, Ghost in the Shell is set for a March 31st, 2017 release.