Another ‘Bourne’ Sequel in the Works; Jeremy Renner to Return

Although 'The Bourne Legacy' didn't live up to the critical and financial precedent set by the first three films in Universal's 'Bourne' series, the studio appears to be moving forward with a fifth film in the series. Although it's still early in the process, early buzz suggests that film will once again center around Jeremy Renner's Aaron Cross, with Matt Damon's titular amnesiac spy off doing whatever movie spies do when audiences aren't watching them.

The news comes from Deadline, who say that writer Anthony Peckham has been brought on the pen the screenplay. That's a massive change already, since Tony Gilroy wrote the past four films (and directed 'The Bourne Legacy'). The fact that he's not involved with the script suggests that he's probably out of the running for the director's chair, which means that this is the first 'Bourne' film to feature none of the key figures from the original three movies.

Although 'The Bourne Identity,' 'The Bourne Supremacy' and 'The Bourne Ultimatum' were huge hits, much of their success can be attributed to Matt Damon and directors Doug Liman and Paul Greengrass. Audiences didn't seem too keen on a 'Bourne' film without Jason Bourne last year, but Universal apparently thinks a second go-around will do the trick. What the studios needs to do (and has probably considered) is bring back Damon to team up with Renner, but Damon has made it clear that he's not in a hurry to return to the character.

We'll keep you updated on this one.