The cast of the fourth Damon-starring film (and the franchise’s fifth overall) will feature a mix of new and familiar characters. Along with Damon, Julia Stiles is set to reprise her role as former CIA operative Nicky Parsons. Meanwhile, Shepherd joins Bourne franchise newbies, including the red-hot Alicia Vikander (Ex Machina, The Man from U.N.C.L.E), Vincent Cassel (Black Swan), Ato Essandoh (Django Unchained), and Tommy Lee Jones.
It remains to be seen whether Shepherd’s character will be Bourne’s friend or foe, but the latter is usually a safe bet, especially when the character is reported to be part of the CIA.
This won’t be the first time Shepherd has played an employee of the agency. The actor played the CIA handler of Tom Hanks’ character in Bridge of Spies, which hit theaters on Oct. 16. The latest Bourne film is one of several upcoming projects for him. Shepherd will also appear in The Young Pope, an HBO limited series set to premiere in 2016, alongside Jude Law and Diane Keaton. Additionally, he is scheduled to join Richard Gere in The Oppenheimer Strategies.
The new film is currently filming in Budapest, Hungary. Little is known about the plot so far, but Damon has alluded to the film taking place in a “post-Snowden” world and Bourne being back on the grid for the first time in 12 years. With director Paul Greengrass back for his first Bourne installment since 2007’s The Bourne Ultimatum, it should be a trilling, suspenseful, and action-heavy ride.
Greengrass penned the script with Christopher Rouse. Meanwhile, Frank Marshall is returning as well, producing alongside Damon, Jeffrey Weiner, Greg Goodman, and Ben Smith. Rouse will executive produce with Henry Morrison.
The latest Bourne film is scheduled for release on July 29, 2016.
