Updated! Indiewire and Deadline.com  report that Hurt Locker actor, Jeremy Renner is already locked in as the new lead in the Jason Bourne-less 'Bourne Legacy' - so does that mean we have Joel for our 'Huntsman'? Let's wait for further details.

NYMag Insiders tell Vulture that Bourne Legacy director Tony Gilroy wants to cast Australian actor Joel Edgerton (Animal Kingdom) as the new hero in the Matt Damon–less franchise — an agent named Martin who was part of a Treadstone-like program. But the studio has two issues with this plan: First, they worry that Edgerton, who will next appear in their remake of The Thing, doesn't yet have enough worldwide recognition to carry this franchise. And second, our spies tell us that the studio is strongly considering Edgerton for the role of the Huntsman in Snow White and the Huntsman, now that Hugh Jackman passed on it last week. (Edgerton's lack of global fame wouldn’t be as much of an issue here, as Kristen Stewart and Charlize Theron would be the names selling the film.) But a decision needs to be made, as both films have to happen soon.

We’re told that the studio has made significant commitments for Snow White, and Stewart (who’s playing Snow) has already slashed her fee to make the film happen; this is clearly a top priority for the studio, and with most of the pieces in place they want to get it going quickly. And Universal is also facing pressure from the Robert Ludlum estate to get another Bourne film going. Currently the plan is to start shooting by July.Click to read the full article

The Playlist Tony Gilroy Wants Joel Edgerton For ‘The Bourne Legacy’ 
"With Hugh Jackman recently passing and the titular male lead in “Snow White and the Huntsman” still open, Universal is considering the actor for this franchise as well, which seems a bit bizarre. We think ‘Bourne’ would benefit much more from an “unknown” lead than this fairy tale franchise which will already have a helluva task in luring audiences as Tarsem‘s Julia Roberts-led film will hit theaters six months before this one.

So, we’ll have to see how Universal eventually plays the Joel Edgerton card. Vulture suggests that if he goes to ‘Huntsman,’ we can expect McAvoy or LaBeouf to land ‘Bourne,’ but if not, the field remains pretty wide open. Snow White and the Huntsman is slated for December 21, 2012.

via kstewartnews and vonch