The DreamWorks produced sci-fi adaptation Ghost in the Shell has selected Michael Pitt (Seven Psychopaths, Boardwalk Empire) to play its lead villain. Based on the popular Japanese manga series, the film stars Scarlett Johansson as the lead role of the crime fighting cyborg Section 9.

Tasked with directing is Rupert Sanders (Snow White and the Huntsman) in which the studio aims to start shooting later this month. Jonathan Herman has penned the screenplay, fresh from being Oscar nominated for his writing contributions on the Straight Outta Compton script. Executive Producing are Michael Costigan, Jeffrey Silver, Tetsu Fujimura and Mitsuhisa Ishikawa, who produced two of the animated Ghost in the Shell films.

Pitt will play the character known in the manga as the Laughing Man, a disheartened antagonist with a distinctive fashion sense. His physical appearance is that of a man’s body that is partly robotic.

Other upcoming projects for the actor include The Sleeping Shepherd starring alongside Imogen Poots and Criminal, as part of a star studded cast including Ryan Reynolds, Kevin Costner and Gary Oldman.

Paramount will handle the distribution and has a set release date of March 31, 2017 for Ghost in the Shell.