Your newest, biggest movie star. Christopher Polk/VF11/Getty Images Four years ago, Jeremy Renner was playing second-fiddle to Minnie Driver in critically reviled movies. (And starring in canceled television series.) Then he made a little movie called "The Hurt Locker." Since then, he has been nominated for two Oscars, been cast as a superhero and is anchoring two of the most valuable action franchises on earth. We'd say making "Locker" was a smart career move.

Last night, Deadline announced the news everyone had been waiting for: The role of the superspy character replacing Matt Damon's Jason Bourne in the "Bourne" franchise has been offered to Renner, who's expected to join on as soon as scheduling issues are resolved. Universal had been looking at several other actors -- including "Animal Kingdom...l Edgerton and Garrett Hedlund from "Tron: Legacy" -- but they landed on Renner for "The Bourne Legacy." "Legacy" is written and directed by Tony Gilroy (who wrote all three of the "Bourne" screenplays and also wrote and directed "Michael Clayton") and is expected to start filming this September, with a release date around August 2012.

Renner, who, again, was unknown only three years ago, is taking on projects like a starving man suddenly put in front of a buffet. (Even though he's new to the scene, he has been around a long time; he turns 40 this year.) He just finished filming "Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol" with Tom Cruise -- it is anticipated that he will take over that franchise, though he's actually only nine years younger than Cruise -- and he also will play "Hawkeye" in the upcoming "Avengers movie." (He's said to have a cameo as Hawkeye in this summer's "Thor" as well.)

Finding the right actor was key for Universal to keep the "Bourne" franchise alive. When director Paul Greengrass announced he was done with the "Bourne" films, star Matt Damon said he would leave the franchise too, claiming he would only work with Greengrass. (He has since left the door ajar for "five y...rom now.") Universal couldn't let such a profitable franchise die, though, so they gave Gilroy the director's chair and set about casting a new lead, someone who is not Jason Bourne, but is certainly cut from his proverbial cloth. That person was Renner. Hence the "Legacy" of the title: The hope is that someday Damon and Renner can team for a future Super Bourne Film. (The legacy aspect is still strange, though; Damon is just one year older than Renner.)

But yes: We have gone from never having heard of Jeremy Renner to having him take over all aspects of entertainment, in three years. Look out: Someone's gonna cast him as Batman next.

Universal Chooses Jeremy Renner For 'The Bourne Legacy' [Deadline]