Academy Award-nominated actor Brad Pitt has joined the cast of Quentin Tarantino’s “Inglorious Bastards,” a project that is also trying to enlist Simon Pegg and Nastassja Kinski.

Brad Pitt will portray Lt. Aldo Raine in Quentin Tarantino’s upcoming “Inglorious Bastards,” set in the time of World War II in German-occupied France, a character described by the Hollywood Reporter as a Southern rebel who leads a band of eight Jewish American soldiers who take vengeance on Nazis. Sources told the HR his character is similar to that of Samuel L. Jackson in “Pulp Fiction.”

Raine is reportedly fond of saying things like “we’re gonna be doing one thing, and one thing only, and that’s killing Nazis,” people familiar with the script told the HR.

Brad Pitt first read the script in July and must be ready and in character by October 13, when filming begins in Germany.

Quentin Tarantino, Weinstein Co. and Universal hope to have the film ready for show at the Cannes Film Festival next May.

“It’s going to be a nine-month sprint marathon,” producer Lawrence Bender told the Hollywood Reporter.

Bender also said he envisions great things from Tarantino and Pitt’s working together, their first collaboration. “They’re going to push each other and really help make something special,” he said.

British actor Simon Pegg, who starred in last year’s “Hot Fuzz,” is also in talks to join the cast, while Nastassja Kinsky (“Tess”) may play the part of a German actress.

David Krumholtz, who stars in the CBS television show “Numbers,” may also have a role unless his schedule does not allow for it.

B. J. Novak (“The Office”) and “Hostel” director Eli Roth are in talks to play soldiers in Pitt’s band.

Brad Pitt attended the Cannes Film festival this year as well, with two projects: “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford” and “Ocean’s Thirteen.”

The actor starts work on “The Fighter” for Paramount either late this year or in early 2008.