Jeremy Renner is the new Jason Bourne

Kennon wrote:

Come to think of it, Bourne IS a codename, unlike Bond, so the Renner flick could get away with it. If the audience is willing to follow that reasoning.

True. Although I think Gilroy has confirmed that the hero of THE BOURNE LEGACY (played, presumably, by Renner) won't be using the Jason Bourne alias.

Renner could so easily pass for a Damon clone, though, so I hope Gilroy finds some very clear ways to differentiate the characters.

I know what you mean about Renner being a Damon clone - they do look kinda similar (ish).

Regardless, though, does there really need to be any clear differentiation between Damon's Bourne and Renner's character? I don't really mind if Renner basically ends up playing Damon's Bourne by another name. I don't really enjoy these films for the Bourne character so much as for the atmosphere, suspense and action - I find them to be extremely well-crafted entertainments, but there's nothing really all that compelling about Bourne in and of himself when you get right down to it. Still, Damon always gives a very good performance in these flicks, which I'm sure Renner will also do. Whether or he not provides a markedly different lead character to Damon's Bourne is, for me, neither here nor there as long as he's good and the film is also good.

Loomis wrote:

Regardless, though, does there really need to be any clear differentiation between Damon's Bourne and Renner's character?

For this Bourne-without-Bourne thing to work for me, there does.

If there's really a plot to replace Bourne I (Damon) with Bourne II (Renner) it would make sense if the latter resembles the former.