Renner didn't want to replace Damon

Jeremy Renner has revealed that he didn't want to step into Matt Damon's shoes as Jason Bourne.

The Oscar-nominated actor, who plays new secret agent Aaron Cross in The Bourne Legacy, admitted that he didn't want to just take over the Bourne franchise from Matt and had reassurance from director Tony Gilroy that wouldn't be the case.

"It was a yes before I even got the script, creatively, even though I didn't know what the heck it was. I always knew it wasn't Jason Bourne so it was something to consider. It was an instant 'no' if that was the case. Who wants to do that? Matt will always be Bourne," he said.

There was still an area of concern for Jeremy, however.

"I had to consider what it would do to my personal life and that sort of thing but creatively it had all the elements that I die to do at work," he added.

Instead, Jeremy's alter-ego Aaron is somewhat a contrast to Matt's character.

"Aaron Cross is a guy who wants to fit in and be a part of something. He's completely the opposite of who Jason Bourne was," he explained.

"Bourne was just trying to find out who the hell he was, but Aaron Cross knows exactly who he is. He knows what he wants to do and that's being a part of this team."

:: The Bourne Legacy is released on August 13.