After months of silence, "The Bourne Legacy" casting news returns with a bang with the announcement that "Incredible Hulk" star Edward Norton is in negotiations with Universal to play the villain in the upcoming action thriller.

Variety broke the story, reporting that Norton will likely return to his dark side in the upcoming installment of the "Bourne" series. The actor is no stranger to bad-guy roles, having made a name for himself playing antiheroes in "Primal Fear," "Fight Club" and "American History X."

If negotiations come to fruition, Norton will be playing opposite new leading man [article id="1662493"]Jeremy Renner[/article] in the film, written and directed by Tony Gilroy. Renner will be following in Matt Damon's footsteps as a more dangerous assassin than Jason Bourne who was trained by the same outfit. Rachel Weisz has also joined the cast, though details of her character and the movie's plot are being kept under wraps.

"The easiest way to think of it is an expansion or a reveal," Gilroy said of his story for "Bourne Legacy." "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]."

The trio has never worked together in the past, though had Norton remained in the Marvel film universe, he and Renner would have been co-stars in 2012's "The Avengers." Now the three critically acclaimed actors will meet on set for the first time in anticipation of the film's intended September production start date.

Norton is currently filming the Wes Anderson movie "Moonrise Kingdom" with Bill Murray, Jason Schwartzman, Bruce Willis, Frances McDormand, Owen Wilson, Harvey Keitel and Tilda Swinton.

Check out everything we've got on "The Bourne Legacy."

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