Birdman and Spotlight actor Michael Keaton has joined the cast of CBS Films and Lionsgate's upcoming movie adaptation of American Assassin.

Keaton will play Stan Hurley, a Cold War veteran who "would be the most feared training officer in the CIA if more than a handful of people at the agency knew that he existed."

"Stan Hurley is one of the pillars of the Vince Flynn universe and a favorite character for millions of readers, so casting him was a daunting challenge," the film's director, Michael Cuesta, said in a statement. "To have an actor as intelligent and gifted as Michael Keaton bring this beloved character to life is a thrill for everyone involved."

American Assassin is based on Vince Flynn's bestselling novel of the same name, which tells the story of Hurley and a black ops recruit named Mitch Rapp, as the two embark on a "joint mission with a lethal Turkish agent to stop a mysterious operative from starting World War III in the Middle East."

The screenplay of Lionsgate's movie adaptation was penned by Stephen Schiff (The Americans, Ultimate Rush), and Lorenzo di Bonaventura (Transformers) and Nick Wechsler (Magic Mike) are on board to produce.

Keaton played Walter 'Robby' Robinson in the Spotlight, which won Best Picture at the 2016 Oscars.