‘Bourne’ Has Found its Villain in Vincent Cassel

French actor Vincent Cassel, best known to American audiences for his roles in Eastern Promises and Black Swan, is in talks to join a successful franchise. According to Variety, Cassel is set to play the villain in the next installment of the Jason Bourne franchise starring Matt Damon, who is confirmed to return in the title role.

Busy up-and-comer Alicia Vikander (Ex Machina) and Oscar winner Tommy Lee Jones (Lincoln) are also on board for the project, and Julia Stiles (10 Things I Hate about You) is set to return as well. Paul Greengrass (The Bourne Ultimatum) is back to direct and co-write the script with Christopher Rouse. Plot details are unknown at this time, though sources say Cassel will play an assassin tracking Bourne. Production is expected to begin later this summer. The film will be released in theaters on July 29, 2016. Damon’s three Bourne movies, which began in 2002 and ended in 2007, grossed nearly $1 billion at the worldwide box office. Cassel can next be seen in Partisan, which is scheduled for release in the U.S. on October 2. Upcoming movies include Tale of Tales and Mon Roi, both of which premiered at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival.