February 9, 2012 by Vinnie Leduc
The fourth film adaptation of the Jason Bourne novels created by Robert Ludlam will feature a new lead character played by Oscar nominee Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker, The Town). When Oscar nominee Paul Greengrass (United 93), the director of The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum, lost interest in extending the action thriller series, so did Oscar winner Matt Damon, who had previously starred in the first three movies and stated that he wouldn’t play the amnesic spy again without Greengrass at the helm.
These losses couldn’t stop Bourne from being reborn because there’s still money to be milked from the critically acclaimed blockbuster franchise. Jeremy Renner and Oscar-nominated director Tony Gilroy (Michael Clayton) are filling in the voids left by Damon and Greengrass, respectively. They’re joined by Oscar winner Rachel Weisz, Oscar nominee Edward Norton, and Oscar (actual first name, not a nominee/winner) Isaac, all of whom are also new to Bourne. Returning to the franchise are Oscar nominee Albert Finney, Oscar nominee Joan Allen, and Oscar-spurned Scott Glenn. By the way, the Oscars are this month.
Already introduced as the possible future face of the Mission: Impossible franchise if and when Tom Cruise decides Ethan Hunt’s had enough, Jeremy Renner could be playing double agent as the lead in films down the line for both the M:I and Bourne series if Legacy spawns more sequels like the books did. And once Daniel Craig’s Bond contract is up, Renner can three-peat as 007, too. But since Craig is locked in for the next six Bond movies (including this year’s Skyfall), that probably won’t be till around 2027, so maybe Renner can ask Robert Rodriguez about Spy Kids 5 through 8 instead.
The Bourne Legacy is set for release on August 3, 2012.
