Matt Damon Confirms Jason Bourne Return After Ben Affleck Lets Slip

Matt Damon has confirmed that he will reprise his role as forgetful super-spy Jason Bourne for a fourth time.

Speaking to E! News with friend Ben Affleck about their upcoming HBO series Project Greenlight, it was Affleck who first let slip the rumoured news before Damon stepped into to clarify.

"Well, Matt's going to be doing a Bourne movie next fall when I've just completely lost any semblance of physical fitness," said Affleck, referring to getting into shape to play Batman in 2016's Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

Damon quickly jumped in, saying: "It'll be in 2016 when the movie will actually come out. [Director] Paul Greengrass is going to do another one and that's all I ever said. I just needed him to say yes."

He's not lying, as since the release of The Bourne Ultimatum in 2007 the actor has made clear that he would only return if Greengrass (who directed Ultimatum and Supremacy, not the original Bourne Identity) was on board.

Damon's comments also confirm previous reports that the film will take the release date originally meant for another Bourne film following Jeremy Renner's Aaron Cross and set to be directed by Justin Lin.

The status of that film isn't yet known, but reports indicated that it was still a go and will run in tandem with the Greengrass/Damon movie, possibly leading to a crossover further down the line.

Bourne 5 will be released on 15 July 2016.