We missed this when it was announced late last week that Jeremy Renner had been offered the Jason Bourne franchise, taking over for Matt Damon…

“The studio looked closely at a number of up and coming stars, and tested the likes of Joel Edgerton (The Thing), Dominic Cooper (The Devil’s Double), Garrett Hedlund (Tron: Legacy) and Luke Evans (The Amateur American). Other names in the mix included Taylor Kitsch, Anthony Mackie and Oscar Isaac.“

Not that it matters much now, but it still is interesting that he, Anthony Mackie, was actually being seriously considered for the part; obviously, he didn’t get it (his Hurt Locker co-star did, as already stated), but I never at all expected that they’d even consider a black actor for Jason Bourne.

That reflects positively on Mackie, doesn’t it? Imagine what a coup that would have been if he somehow, miraculously, edged all the other names out for the job.

Mackie as a 1-man wrecking crew, kicking arse and taking names… hmm… I can’t immediately see it. Though, I remember feeling the same way when Matt Damon was initially cast several years ago. Maybe Mackie will get his chance some other time.