Universal is pushing for The Bourne Legacy to be released in 2012 no matter what. I know what you are thinking. How the hell could they pull it off without Matt Damon and Paul Greengrass?! I’m with you, but here at TFS we want to consider the possibilities of this franchise. Here are twenty choices that wouldn’t (completely) screw up the franchise.

10. Zac Efron

Efron’s got the acting chops for something like this. With a few push-ups and maybe a haircut, this young stud could fill the Bourne void just as quickly as if he were 17…again. – Dan M.

9. Ryan Phillipe

The general consensus around the block seems to be that Mr. Phillippe’s career is on the permanent down slope. Even a co-starring job (MacGruber) looks like a failed comeback. But a comeback from what? The young thespian’s been grinding out solid performances in less solid flicks (Franklyn, Stop-Loss, Flags of Our Fathers) over the last few years. And let us not forget his best performance was playing a man who stopped a spy (Breach). – Dan M.

8. James MacAvoy

MacAvoy has been a star on the rise in the US since his breakthrough performance in The Last King of Scotland but has yet to reach a significant level of stardom. His association with Wanted gave his career a significant boost and taking on the Bourne series could turn him into a household name. – John L.

7. Mads Mikkelsen

By far the most “out there” casting suggestion on the list. Mikkelsen is a brute force of cinema, be he a good guy, bad guy or “good but kind of bad” guy. A straightforward choice he is not, but then neither were Michael Keaton as Batman or RDJ as Iron Man, and look how they turned out. Mikkelsen as Bourne would be strange, hard to explain and exciting to watch. - Dan M.

6. Chiwetel Ejiofor

Ejiofor is one of the greatest actors that no one is paying much attention to. He’s proven his versatility in films such as Kinky Boots, Talk To Me and Redbelt. It would be great to see the producers of Bourne 4 think outside the box and cast Ejiofor. – John L.

5. Clive Owen

Clive Owen has cemented himself as the go-to guy for mediocre actioneers but has also been effective in films like Children of Men. Taking over the role of Jason Bourne could work either way for the actor as the character has potential for greatness but the recasting of the character for a 4th film could result in a sea of mediocrity. – John L.

4. Chris Pine

This one’s a stretch, considering Mr. Pine’s now-beloved turn as the franchise-friendly Captain Kirk. But then Pine’s the right age, has the right look and has yet to disappoint. After all, Ryan Reynolds’ playing Deadpool and Green Lantern. Anything can happen. – Dan M.

3. Ryan Gosling

Gosling’s certainly one of the most talented actors on this list, and one of the most versatile. As he currently preps the actioner Drive with Nicholas Winding Refn, one has to wonder if this fits in with the actor’s new studio-friendly direction. – Dan M.

2. Michael Fassbender

Fassbender has had a strange, dream-like rise to fame. He co-starred in an action epic (300), then backed it up with acting chops in a critical darling (Fish Tank) and a high-budget art film (Inglourious Basterds). The man can do no wrong right now. Updating a successful franchise actually seems like a logical choice, provided he can still take art house sabbaticals from time to time. – Dan M.

1. Jeremy Renner

Though it feels like a strange choice at first glance, Renner’s perfect for Jason Bourne. An agent who’s isolated, cynical, fearless and precise. Remind you of any recent Renner performance in particular? - Dan M.

Check out our choices for director on the next page >>

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