Jeremy Renner to Replace Christian Bale in New David O. Russell Film

Jeremy Renner's career has taken off since 'The Hurt Locker' and he has become the latest leading man in Hollywood. Having now appeared as Hawkeye in 'The Avengers' and replacing Matt Damon in the upcoming 'The Bourne Legacy,' Renner has his sights set on another leading man role.

Renner will be replacing Christian Bale in David O. Russell's untitled Sony Pictures movie that was known as "American Bulls---." According to Variety, the pic is based on "the true story of a notorious financial con artist and his mistress/partner in crime who were forced to work with an intense and ambitious FBI agent to turn the tables on other con artists, mobsters and politicians."

Bradley Cooper is in talks to play Mel Weinberg, the con artist who helped the FBI. Renner would play Jimmy Boyle, the FBI agent who busted Weinberg in a case that went all the way up to Congress. Production on the movie will start in February. Renner will next be seen in Universal's 'The Bourne Legacy' and Paramount's 'Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters.' which sounds like a movie filled with awesome or a movie filled with flop. We'll have to wait and see.