Michael Stuhlbarg has joined the cast of the Sony sequel Men in Black III, portraying a character named Griffin. Sharlto Copley was previously in talks for the role last year, though a deal was never worked out.

Our earlier report indicated the Griffin role would be a, "fast-talking Yoda-type alien," although these details were never confirmed. The Men in Black III plot will take place in both present day and in 1969, where Will Smith's Agent J travels back in time to meet a younger Agent K (Josh Brolin). Tommy Lee Jones will reprise his role as the modern-day Agent K.

Barry Sonnenfeld is directing Men in Black III from a script that keeps on evolving. Etan Cohen wrote the original script and writers such as David Koepp and Jeff Nathanson were brought on for rewrites. Men in Black III is also being shot in 3D.

Michael Stuhlbarg is best known for his Oscar-nominated performance in the 2009 drama A Serious Man. He also appears on the critically-acclaimed HBO drama series Boardwalk Empire.