Michael Pitt lands villain role in Scarlett Johansson’s Ghost in the Shell

The live-action adaptation of GHOST IN THE SHELL has been in works for some time and despite the vast majority of fans feeling less than receptive towards the project, it seems to finally be moving forward, and very quickly at that. Scarlett Johansson is already set to star in the film as an augmented-cybernetic human who is part of "a task force named Section 9 that deals in the most dangerous criminals and extremists." Naturally, GHOST IN THE SHELL needs someone of a villainous nature for Johnannson to go up against and THR reports that Michael Pitt (Boardwalk Empire) has been nabbed to fill that particular role.

The outlet says that Michael Pitt won't be playing the Puppet Master (the original films villain), but will instead be playing the Laughing Man, a "bitter and vengeful man with a body that is part robot. He has a unique sense of style and has been described as a bad guy filtered through the lens of a street artist." After Pitt's wonderfully deranged performance as Mason Verger in Hannibal's second season, I've no doubt that he has the ability to give us something truly villainous in GHOST IN THE SHELL. Pilou Asbæk also joined the cast of GHOST IN THE SHELL last winter as Batou, the best fighter in the section and second in command in the army. Rupert Sanders (SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN) is set to direct GHOST IN THE SHELL and they're looking to get production started in New Zealand by late February.

GHOST IN THE SHELL is set for a March 31, 2017 release.