Jeremy Renner is a fine actor, a two-time Oscar nominee (for The Hurt Locker and The Town), someone who plays leads and supporting roles, and has made his way through arthouse films and big action movies.
But I doubt many will miss him when watching Jason Bourne.
Back in 2012, when it seemed that Matt Damon had had his fill of playing Bourne in three movies (the last in 2007), Universal tried to keep the franchise going by starring Renner in The Bourne Legacy. Renner played a different character, but it was clear that he was embarking on a new saga to keep the cash coming in.
The movie made money, but not nearly as much as Damon’s last Bourne. Reviews were also less positive than when Damon was the star. Audiences knew what they wanted at the center of a Bourne film, and they are getting it.
