Ed Norton for Bourne Legacy bad guy role?

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Ed Norton is being lined up to play the villain in 'The Bourne Legacy'.

The 'Incredible Hulk' actor has entered negotiations for a role in the spinoff - which will follow on from the first three Bourne films starring Matt Damon as Jason Bourne - alongside Jeremy Renner as an as yet unnamed assassin from a government programme more dangerous than the one that hatched Jason, Variety reports.

Although details of Ed's character have not yet been revealed by director Tony Gilroy, Rachel Weisz has been confirmed for a role as a female operative after first being linked to the movie earlier this year. 'The Bourne Legacy' is set to start shooting in September with a release date of August 17, 2012.

While it was rumoured he could make a cameo, Matt has ruled out an appearance by original character Jason saying he would only get involved with the franchise again with original director Paul Greengrass. He said: "I'd do it again with Paul. Universal doesn't actually own the Bourne character - the estate does - so technically I could go to Warner Bros. and Universal could read about it online."