Matt Damon has confirmed that he will reprise the role of Jason Bourne for a fourth time as he plans a return to the hugely successful espionage franchise.
Director Paul Greengrass, who made The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum, is also reportedly making a comeback - despite previously stating that he was going to move on from the series.
Damon revealed the news while joking about with close friend Ben Affleck at a Hollywood red carpet event. Speaking to E! News, Affleck said: "Well [Damon's] going to be doing a Bourne movie next fall when I've just completely lost any semblance of physical fitness."
The Elysium star then confirmed the news and said work would begin "next year". "It'll be in 2016 when the movie will actually come about," he said. "Paul Greengrass is going to do another one and that's all I ever said. I just needed him to say yes."
Matt will return for the next Bourne installment (WENN)
Rumours that the pair were going to reunite for the franchise first emerged last month. The British film-maker said in 2013 he had "agonised" over making another Bourne movie but was wary in case he made a mundane follow-up and "ruined the whole thing".
The thrillers, featuring Damon as a highly-trained CIA assassin, have captivated audiences with their action scenes and skillful camera work. The 44-year-old's last stint in the movie was in 2007. A spin-off film, The Bourne Legacy, came out in 2012 but was met with lacklustre reviews.
In total, the Bourne franchise has made $1.2bn (£750m) worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo.
