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Jeremy Renner Offered the Lead in Tony Gilroy's 'The Bourne Legacy'
by Alex Billington
April 21, 2011
Source: Deadline
It's official. Deadline is reporting that Jeremy Renner has been offered the lead as the "new" Bourne in Universal's upcoming Tony Gilroy directed The Bourne Legacy. Not only is he the new super spy taking over Mission Impossible, he's also Hawkeye in the Marvel Universe, and now he's taking over Robert Ludlum's Bourne series, too. Hollywood must really love Jeremy Renner. Deadline says that he is "expected to sign on quickly to play a new character in the spinoff film that begins production in September." Bourne is back, but… without Bourne. Earlier Joel Edgerton was rumored, but it's now Renner's role to take.
Deadline says that Universal's decision was made today. "The studio felt clearly that he was in a position similar to where [Matt] Damon was when his career took off with Bourne." While I agree with that, I think they're pushing it a little too far having him take on another massive franchise like this, it may be too much. "There will be a whole new hero, a whole new chapter… this is a stand-alone project," Gilroy said about this reboot last year. Renner will play an operative from a "covert government program that is even more dangerous than the program that hatched Bourne." Other actors like Jake Gyllenhaal, Dominic Cooper, Garrett Hedlund, Luke Evans were also contenders, but after kicking ass in The Hurt Locker and The Town, both of which earned him Oscar nominations, it's Renner's new gig. We will keep you updated! Satisfied?
25 Comments
1
the new Jude Law
carla on Apr 22, 2011
2
wrong choice. Hope he declines the offer.
Vito on Apr 22, 2011
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he's a great actor. I just think he's trapping himself into commercial action star status and it'll be hard for him to do serious drama character roles. He's doing the MI franchise, he's going to be in Avengers, a Hawkeye movie, and cameo in other superhero movies. And now this? He will never be able to play a role like he did in The Town and have people believe him if he does that.
Vito on Apr 22, 2011
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I also agree, but the one saving grace on this one is that it's Bourne and this series has left an adult taste in viewers mouths while being action intense. It just needs to keep it's brains/reality aspects and it'll be ok. But hey, the guy is obviously not done. He has acting chops, proven, and not he needs to get paid.
Johnny Neat on Apr 22, 2011
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My biggest problem with this is that he'll be both a spy in the new bourne and a spy in MI4. His spy roles are just going to get blurred and I'm afraid it's going to become a mess of reviews reading "didn't we see this already?"
Anonymous on Apr 22, 2011
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Only saw him in the Town and have to say not really impressed at all. He doesn't look the type here either nor Mission Impossible. Sure Cruise was a pretty boy and Damon was himself but they both had and have more presence. Renner looks like an impish teenager, in above his head and nothing says otherwise. He may be a good actor to some but I don't think these roles fit him at all.
ate on Apr 22, 2011
9
see "Take" Renner was excellent in that.
Xerxexx on Apr 22, 2011
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Well I think Renner is best for Bourne. He does have that rugged thing going for him and he did a good job in 28weeks later I thought. However having him also in MI is crazy. I thought, as eccentric as Cruise is, he fits the part really well.
Anonymous on Apr 22, 2011
11
Renner would be perfect for this!
Xerxexx on Apr 22, 2011
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The new Ethan Hunt? Ethan Hunt is still Tom Cruise. Renner plays someone else.
Chazzy on Apr 22, 2011
13
Yeah Brandt or something like that. I was confused by the article as well.
Yourmaker on Apr 22, 2011
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He's just a great actor that gets big roles, what's bad about that? I'd happy if he'd take this role, 'cause I just loved that guy in The Town. And he's got that underdog badass look, which suits the Bourne films perfectly.
Steven on Apr 22, 2011
17
no spin-off without matt damon!
A5J4DX on Apr 22, 2011
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Hopefully this could make him and Damon come together in Bourne 5? I love Renner. I wouldn't praise the role In The Town but.. that was one cliche part to play and Renner did pull it off. I'm looking forward to seeing him in more stuff!
Ryderup on Apr 22, 2011
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Go Renner. Great choice. He's the man. No one can top Damon, however Renner will bring something new to the series
Ali Ababwa on Apr 23, 2011
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Just be careful with your "worries" about an actor getting sucked into franchises. Remember Sam Worthington was going to "disappear" into franchises after Avatar & Terminator Salvation and yet that wasn't the case. Same thing with Christian Bale with Batman etc. Renner is a great actor - he's been around - he's not some new kid on the block - just the new hotness. 😉 As long as he sees value in the choice - we ought to trust the man.
Harm on Apr 23, 2011
21
Hope he takes it. Can't wait to see this movie...
Anonymous on Apr 24, 2011
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MD is seriously a tough act to follow...I mean really...I'll have a better take on this choice after vewing first trailer.
Bettybmusing on Apr 24, 2011
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while they're at it, they might as well just give him The Transporter series too
MrHeatMizer on Apr 24, 2011
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Don't care my life isn't affected by this decision.
A Villa88 on Apr 24, 2011
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I must be the only guy that can't stand Renner. Feels too wanna-be-tough-guy to me. I don't buy what he's selling.
mrtibbs on Apr 25, 2011
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