Sam Riley In Talks To Play The Laughing Man In Scarlett Johansson's Ghost In The Shell

Sam Riley is in talks with DreamWorks to star in Ghost in the Shell, opposite Scarlett Johansson, according to Deadline. The report stresses that these talks are still fluid, but that both parties have expressed an interest in working out a deal.

Riley is said to be negotiating for the role of The Laughing Man, the J.D. Salinger-obsessed cyberterrorist antagonist from the first story arc of the Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex television series. This seems to suggest that the live action film's plot will be based on the "Complex" story arc.

Riley is best known for playing the lead in the Ian Curtis biopic Control. He also appeared in Maleficent, and will play Mr. Darcy in the upcoming film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.

Johansson takes the lead in Ghost in the Shell, as Major Motoko Kusanagi. The film recently cast Johansson's Lucy co-star Pilou Asbæk as Section 9 heavy Batou. The film is being directed by Snow White and the Huntsman director Rupert Sanders.