An earlier version of this story incorrectly reported that Vikander was Danish, not Swedish. The post has been updated to reflect the change.
Universal’s fifth Bourne installment is casting up, with Matt Damon set to reprise the role of amnesiac CIA assassin Jason Bourne in a new entry again directed by Paul Greengrass (who helmed the first three Bourne pics). Additionally, Julia Stiles has been recruited to again play Bourne’s ally Nicky Parsons. Now, it’s been officially confirmed by Deadline that Ex Machina breakout Alicia Vikander, previously in talks for a key role, has signed on for the tentpole.
The site simultaneously reports that the Swedish actress, who has been courted by just about every major studio in the wake of her star-making performance as A.I. Ava in Alex Garland’s sci-fi hit, will not be appearing in the Assassin’s Creed adaptation alongside Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard. Though Vikander was previously in talks for a role in that video game adaptation, she decided to pass and take on a part in the Bourne fivequel instead. Additionally, there’s little to no chance that the actress will return to the cast of Dave Eggers adaptation The Circle, as Emma Watson is reportedly circling the lead role she dropped out of.
[zerg]No word yet on which character Vikander will be playing in Bourne 5, but early intel has Damon’s lead on the run from another assassin (Viggo Mortensen has been offered that part), so she might be playing a love interest or someone in cahoots with the assassin (or both). It’s just too early to say with not even a vague synopsis for the new installment yet.
Vikander, who appeared in Anna Karenina prior to Ex Machina, has some huge projects on the horizon. She’ll co-star in this summer’s blockbuster spy caper The Man From U.N.C.L.E. with Henry Cavill and Armie Hammer, star in Tom Hooper’s awards contender The Danish Girl with an award-tipped Eddie Redmayne, lead period romance Tulip Fever, provide support in Bradley Cooper’s chef pic Adam Jones and topline the Derek Cianfrance-directed drama The Light Between Oceans with Michael Fassbender. All of those projects are wrapped and in post, allowing the actress to turn her full attention to this more action-packed venture.
Bourne 5 has been set to arrive July 29, 2016.