Film is not set to include Matt Damon’s Jason Bourne. By Kara Warner Jeremy Renner Photo: Getty Images After months of speculation, Universal has officially named actor Jeremy Renner as the star of “The Bourne Legacy.” According to Deadline , the two-time Oscar nominee (for “The Hurt Locker” and “The Town”) is expected to “sign on quickly” to play a new character in the spin-off film written and directed by “Bourne” screenwriter Tony Gilroy. Renner will reportedly play an operative from a covert government program that is even more dangerous than the Treadstone brainwashing program that hatched Jason Bourne, memorably played by Matt Damon in the first three hit films. For those who have been following the ups and downs of the “Bourne” saga, Renner’s casting is not at all a surprise, given reports that leaked earlier this month saying he had been offered the role. The actor beat out a slew of talented and buzzworthy contenders, which reportedly included Alex Pettyfer, Taylor Kitsch, Dominic Cooper, Garrett Hedlund and Luke Evans. Gilroy has previously stated that although Damon’s Bourne will not be a part of “Legacy,” he has left the door open for future Bourne-centric films down the road. “The easiest way to think of it is an expansion or a reveal,” Gilroy said of his story for “Legacy.” “Jason Bourne will not be in this film, but he’s very much alive. What happened in the first three films is the trigger for what happens. I’m building a legend and an environment and a wider conspiracy. … The world we’re making enhances and advances and invites Jason Bourne’s return [down the road].” Production is said to begin in September. Check out everything we’ve got on “The Bourne Legacy.” For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com .
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Jeremy Renner Cast In ‘The Bourne Legacy’
