Rumours are swirling that the Jason Bourne franchise could be gearing up for another reboot – this time without Matt Damon, the actor who defined the role across the majority of the series; The Bourne Identity in 2002, The Bourne Supremacy in 2004, The Bourne Ultimatum in 2007, and Jason Bourne in 2016, with only 2012’s The Bourne Legacy seeing him step aside. If the studio really is considering a fresh start rather than a continuation, that opens the door to a new kind of Bourne: someone younger, physically convincing, and capable of carrying both the action and the psychological tension that defines the character.
Below is an opinion-driven look at several actors who could plausibly step into Bourne’s shoes – and why each would bring something interesting to the table.
Brandon Sklenar – The Intensity Factor
Brandon Sklenar has quietly built a reputation for playing men with a simmering edge. In roles like his breakout performance in the series 1923, he demonstrated a mix of stoicism and emotional volatility that feels very Bourne-adjacent.
Jason Bourne is defined as much by internal conflict as by physical capability. Sklenar’s screen presence leans into that – he often plays characters who look composed but carry something unresolved beneath the surface. That’s exactly the psychological tension that makes Bourne compelling.
Physically, he also fits the mold: athletic, believable in hand-to-hand combat, and able to sell a grounded action style rather than superhero spectacle.
Why he could work: He brings the haunted intensity that Bourne requires without feeling like a Damon imitation.
Tyriq Withers – The Breakout Choice
Tyriq Withers represents the boldest option on this list. He’s still early in his career, but Hollywood has increasingly leaned toward discovering its action leads rather than recycling established stars.
Bourne was never meant to be a flashy hero. In fact, part of the original trilogy’s appeal was how ordinary Matt Damon initially seemed for the role. Withers could replicate that lightning-in-a-bottle discovery moment.
Casting a relatively fresh face would also allow audiences to accept the reboot without constantly comparing it to Damon’s.
Why he could work: A Bourne reboot might benefit from an up-and-comer that audiences can grow with across multiple films.
Theo James – The Franchise Veteran
Theo James is arguably the most traditional action-hero candidate here. After leading the Divergent series and delivering a darker performance in the series The Gentleman, he’s proven he can anchor big productions.
James also carries a certain classic spy-film aesthetic – he looks like he belongs in the world of covert operations. But what makes him interesting for Bourne is his ability to mix charm with menace. Bourne isn’t suave like James Bond; he’s constantly on edge. James has shown he can pivot toward that darker tone when needed.
Why he could work: He brings proven franchise experience and the physicality for high-level action sequences.
Brandon Perea – The Unexpected Pick
Brandon Perea made a major impression in Nope, where his kinetic energy and charisma stood out even in a supporting role opposite such livewires as Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer.
What makes Perea an intriguing Bourne candidate is his unpredictability. The Bourne films thrive on tension and improvisational survival; Bourne often feels like someone figuring things out moment to moment. Perea’s energetic style could translate well into that kind of reactive action storytelling.
It would also modernize the franchise by giving it a very different lead energy than Damon’s stoic interpretation.
Why he could work: He could inject fresh unpredictability into a franchise that risks feeling formulaic.
Simu Liu – The Physical Powerhouse
Simu Liu has already proved he can carry a major action film with Shang-Chi, not to mention his current leading of the spy series The Copenhagen Test.
What makes Liu particularly interesting for Bourne is his martial arts background. The Bourne films helped redefine Hollywood fight choreography with grounded, brutal close-quarters combat. Liu could push that even further while maintaining the realism that made the series famous.
He also balances humour and seriousness well – something that could humanize Bourne without undermining the darker tone.
Why he could work: Elite physicality combined with proven blockbuster credibility.
The Real Challenge: Replacing Matt Damon
Replacing Matt Damon is no small task. His portrayal turned Jason Bourne into one of the defining action heroes of the 2000s, with the films helping reshape the modern spy thriller. But if the franchise truly is heading toward a reboot, the smartest move may not be finding the closest Damon substitute.
Instead, it could mean rethinking who Bourne can be. Casting someone like Withers, Liu, or Perea would also reflect a broader shift in Hollywood – moving beyond the traditional white male action lead and opening the door for a more diverse generation of heroes. Bourne has always been defined by identity, or the lack of it. Perhaps the next evolution of the character is discovering that the role itself can be reimagined.
