Please excuse an expression of doubt right at the outset, but I’ll just go ahead and take this as a rumor for the time being. According to The Sun, Matt Damon has already been cast — is not negotiating, is not rumored — in MGM’s remake of The Magnificent Seven, a project for which Tom Cruise is attached to star. There’s no proper indication as to where they heard this (relatively big) news in the first place, but, on their part, it’s claimed that Damon will play Vin, a character inhabited by Steve McQueen in the 1960 original.

Their source went on to say the obvious: MGM’s “throwing big money at the film and wanted some top names to fill the main parts.” Further down that line, then, is the mention of Morgan Freeman and Kevin Costner; the former would fill Eli Wallach‘s shoes as the antagonistic Calvera, and the latter would pay tribute to James Coburn by playing Britt.

Now, I’d be plenty glad hear this from a more reputable source… but it’s not necessarily coming from a reputable source, nor is there much reason to take this at face value in the first place. Maybe I’m being close-minded and, yes, The Magnificent Seven will star Tom Cruise, Matt Damon, Kevin Costner, and Morgan Freeman — I’m sure it would be a great time! — yet I think it’s best to temper any potential enthusiasm.

Is it possible all three actors are converging on The Magnificent Seven, or does it sound like rumor to you?