Hitman: Absolution will feature the talents of David Bateson, Agent 47’s regular voice actor.

Square Enix confirmed Bateson’s return today. The popular actor has voiced Agent 47 since the franchise’s debut with Codename 47 in 2000. IO Interactive had initially announced that Bateson wouldn’t be back, but after a “long search” apparently agreed with fans that there’s only one man for the job.

Interestingly, William Mapother provided the motion capture for 47; he’s better known as Ethan from Lost.

“IO and Bateson have been bed fellows for over a decade and like all long running relationships sometimes absence makes the heart grow fonder. Looking back I think we were just playing hard to get,” Hitman brand director Jon Brooke said.

Ah ha ha. Hitman Absolution is due on November 20 for PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.