Edward Norton In Talks To Play The Villain In The Bourne Legacy

While Edward Norton certainly has some questionable titles on his resume, but he is easily one of our best actors. From Primal Fear to American History X to Fight Club, the man has proven time and time again that he can play anything, but it always seems that he is at his best when utilizing his creepy/evil vibe. One can imagine that will only serve him well as he hunts down Jeremy Renner in The Bourne Legacy.

Variety has learned that the twice Oscar nominated actor is now in talks to play the lead villain in the Tony Gilroy directed film. The first Bourne movie that doesn't star Matt Damon, the film is a spin-off of sorts, following a different character in the same universe crafted in the first three films. The script was also written by Gilroy, who wrote the first three movies in the franchise, but plot details are currently being kept under wraps. The site has apparently also confirmed the casting of Rachel Weisz, who will be playing the film's main female role (it's unknown if that means she will be a hero or a villain). Norton joins elite ranks by being cast as the antagonists in a Bourne film, previous baddies including Chris Cooper, Brian Cox and David Strathairn.

Though I still find myself questioning the value of a Bourne film without Jason Bourne, it seems that they are trying to make you forget that by loading the new film with recognizable names and faces. Should the deal be closed, the movie will be Norton's first mainstream studio movie since 2008's The Incredible Hulk. The project currently has a release date of August 3, 2012.

Eric Eisenberg
Assistant Managing Editor

NJ native who calls LA home and lives in a Dreamatorium. A decade-plus CinemaBlend veteran who is endlessly enthusiastic about the career he’s dreamt of since seventh grade.