Who just might replace Matt Damon in The Bourne Legacy?

When it was first announced that The Bourne Legacy, the next chapter in the Jason Bourne franchise first: wouldn't have Paul Greengrass involved, and two: wouldn't have Jason Bourne or Matt Damon anywhere near it, I just wished the whole thing would die a rapid fire death.  Then writer/director Tony Gilroy calmed my fears by explaining his vision for the film...

"The easiest way to think of it is an expansion or a reveal…Jason Bourne will not be in this film, but he’s very much alive. What happened in the first three films is the trigger for what happens. I’m building a legend and an environment and a wider conspiracy…the world we’re making enhances and advances and invites Jason Bourne’s return [down the road]."

I’m not going to get into the plot, but you saw the other three films, you know everything that happened, and it’s not a dream sequence. What I can say is, you thought that was the whole world, but it was a small piece of what was going on. Ultimatum exploded at the end with people arrested. We deal with that as a reality, it has ramifications that echo out into the larger world. And of course, Jason Bourne is still alive and out there in the world."

The entire Bourne universe is a meaty one, with tons of characters and dark angles just waiting to be delved into. So I'm actually pretty hyped about what comes next. The only question was who would be cast for the lead role. It would have to be someone with the magnetic personality and believable butt-kicking ability Damon brought to the table.  Both Deadline and Variety have put together a list of candidates from both Gilroy and Universal Pictures. Some expected names pop up, along with some outright strange ones...

Variety notes Jake Gyllenhaal, Tobey Maguire, Garrett Hedlund, Taylor Kitsch and Kellan Lutz(The Twilight Saga) as his primary candidates.  Deadline's list is a bit more extensive with Joel Edgerton(Smokin' Aces), Josh Hartnett, Paul Dano, Michael Pitt(The Dreamers), Oscar Isaac(Robin Hood), Michael Fassbender, Luke Evans(Tamara Drewe), Alex Pettyfer, and Benjamin Walker(Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter).

Obviously the script is going to play a major factor in the decision, but what on earth could that story be if you can have Michael Fassbender and Paul friggin' Dano in contention for the same part? Two totally different dudes in every way, shape, and form. Don't be surprise if someone completely out of left field wins the lead. My guess is that they may want to create an action star with this film, the same way they built Matt Damon into a respectable and realistic action hero.