Cele|bitchy

Linnocent Open Post: She’s due in court today, her felony could be reduced
Pippa Middleton: The more relentless, ambitious Middleton sister?
Did Emma Watson leave Brown University because of bullying?
American Idol producers are pressuring the contestants to lose weight
Gwyneth Paltrow was all yellow for an LA book signing: canary-fug or really cute?
Kirstie Alley is still delusional about her weight, claims to be a size 8
Is Cameron Diaz expecting a proposal from A-Rod? Will she get one?
NBC wants Tina Fey to take over Saturday Night Live when Lorne Michaels leaves
Is Sean Penn telling Scarlett Johansson to lose weight?
Jeremy Renner is officially the lead in the Bourne series reboot

Linnocent Open Post: She’s due in court today, her felony could be reduced

Posted: 22 Apr 2011 08:25 AM PDT

Well, our beloved Linnocent is due in court today, this, the High Holy Day of Crackhead Martyrs (no disrespect to Jesus, who is only the second biggest martyr after Linnocent). Linnocent's judge, Stephanie Sautner, has already said that she's not allowing cameras in the courtroom, so we'll likely only be getting some photos of Linnocent's crack stroll into the courthouse, and those will probably come later, I'm guessing. What's interesting is that both TMZ and Radar are claiming that Shawn Chapman Holley will likely ask the judge today to reduce Linnocent's charge from a felony to a misdemeanor. Here's more:

Lindsay Lohan is bound to have a spring in her step with the news that Judge Stephanie Sautner is likely to reduce the Mean Girls star's felony theft charge down to a misdemeanor in court today.

“Judge Sautner has indicated to the DA and Lindsay’s attorney that there is a very good chance that at the conclusion of the preliminary hearing she will reduce the charge from a felony to a misdemeanor," a well connected source tells RadarOnline. "When Lindsay heard this news, the possibility that the charge could be reduced, she was practically doing cartwheels."

And with good reason – there's a big difference between the two charges – Felony grand theft carries up to three years in state prison whereas misdemeanor grand theft carries a maximum of one year in county jail.

"Lindsay’s fate rests in Judge Sautner’s hands, and the judge could decide not to reduce the charge in the end, but just the fact that she is considering it gives Lindsay hope,” the source close to the actress says.

During the hearing Deputy District Attorney Danette Meyers will be calling the jewelry store owner, the female clerk that was working when the theft allegedly occurred, the investigating officer and the police officer that Lindsay’s friend turned the necklace over to. Meanwhile, Lindsay’s attorney, Shawn Holley, is going to grill the jewelry store owner over her decision to sell the surveillance video of the alleged theft for a profit, our source says. It’s anticipated that the preliminary hearing will last one day. Holley will be calling just one witness, a jewelry appraiser. The price of the necklace is going to be a battle of contention between Meyers and Holley.

"If the judge decides that the real value of the necklace is far below the listed retail price of $2500, specifically $950 as has been mentioned, it’s a no brainer and the charge gets reduced,” the Lohan source tells RadarOnline.

But, even if Judge Sautner does reduce the charge to a misdemeanor, Lindsay still isn’t in the clear.

“If Lindsay is ordered to stand trial, even on a misdemeanor, she will still be automatically found in violation of her DUI probation," the source says.

"Lindsay is telling her friends though that the judge won’t be sending her to jail on the probation violation at the conclusion of the preliminary hearing tomorrow, rather it will be dealt with at another time, most likely at the conclusion of the case, if and when it goes to trial. Lindsay simply has one of the best attorneys in Shawn Holley, hands down."

The preliminary hearing will begin at 8:30 am PST.

Judge Sautner has denied cameras in the courtroom, but RadarOnline will be right there and reporting in real time on what is happening.

[From Radar]

"Lindsay simply has one of the best attorneys in Shawn Holley, hands down." Yes, Shawn. We know. Now stop guzzling margaritas and calling Radar and TMZ. By the way, I don't even agree that Shawn Holley is that awesome of an attorney. I think she's good… for a celebrity client in the state of California. Put her up against a state legal system that isn't so - errr - accommodating to celebrities and crackheads, well, Shawn might not be so awesome.

But I do find it interesting that even if this goes ahead as a misdemeanor (which I hope won't happen), then Linnocent will still be under serious threat of going automatically to jail. For the love of God, PLEASE SEND HER AWAY.

And yes, I decided to use some of my favorite Linnocent photos for this very special Crack Martyr Day. And you guys can treat this as our official Linnocent Open Post!!

Photos courtesy of Fame & WENN.

Pippa Middleton: The more relentless, ambitious Middleton sister?

Posted: 22 Apr 2011 08:24 AM PDT

You might not know it by now, but a superstar is being formed. And it's not Waity Katy! It's her younger sister, Pippa. For several years now, Pippa has been on the London scene, making waves and dating any eligible aristocratic bachelor she could find. They say that Pippa is much pushier, much more organized, much more ambitious than her sister. Although, in retrospect, Kate's nine-year ambition shows a lot of will-power, doesn't it? Could Pippa wait like that? Probably not.

These are new photos of Pippa from last night - she was exiting an engagement party for Holly Branson, the daughter of Richard Branson (Virgin Air, Virgin Records, etc). Richard Branson really wanted his daughter to get with one of the princes, Harry or William, but she didn't really care about that. She prioritized her education, and I believe she's an MD…? But Holly and the princes are still tight, and that whole crowd is very… what's the word…? Incestuous. They all date each other and hook up and party, all in a tightly contained little group. So somehow Pippa, the sister of the soon to be Princess William, Duchess of Biscuits, got an invitation and she ended up being the most photographed lady as people left the party. Of course.

And Pippa eats it up. Even more than Waity, I think. Keep your eye on this one, because I think she's got a wild streak and I think she's got a healthy sense of competition. I also think she seems like one of those relentlessly active, upbeat, talk-a-mile-a-minute girls. Those girls bug.

Also: did you hear that The Queen FINALLY met the Middletons? Like, it only happened THIS WEEK. Hilarious!

By the way - we are officially ONE WEEK away from the wedding. Some of you have asked what kind of coverage we're going to be doing. I know I'm going to be getting up at some ungodly hour (four a.m.?!?) and I'll likely be live blogging or open posting stuff. Our issues are going to be when the photos come in - hopefully, our photo agencies will have photos very quickly, so we can talk about and analyze the dress, which (my opinion) will likely be super-boring (Waity's M.O.). CB says she's going to get up early with me, so fingers crossed. Maybe we're try to embed some kind of live video feed…? Perhaps.

Photos courtesy of WENN.

Did Emma Watson leave Brown University because of bullying?

Posted: 22 Apr 2011 08:03 AM PDT

This story is pretty much full of crap, but the speculation as to why Emma Watson took leave from Brown University has yet to end. Officially, Emma’s take on the matter is that she dropped out because she’s such a perfectionist, but the more likely story is that she jumped at the convenient excuses of her continuing Harry Potter promotional committments as well as becoming the new “face” of Lancome.

Still, certain sources insist that a more sinster reason, bullying, is responsible for Emma’s quick departure in the middle of a semester. While it is true that Emma was stalked by Harvard jackasses during her first semester at Brown, the actress has also made it abundantly clear that she’s had very little trouble adjusting to university life and has experienced very little interference from other students. On Letterman, Emma talked a bit about the culture gap in reference to confusing certain words like “plaster” and “bandaid” along with with “rubber” and “eraser” but that Brown students didn’t bother her at school because she’s famous because “They're all too cool for that.” However, the NY Daily News has persisted in perpetuating the bullying myth in relation to Emma Watson:

Emma Watson feels Hermione Granger’s pain: It’s hard being smart.

The Brit beauty might not have magic powers, but a source close to Brown University (where Watson was enrolled from fall 2009 until this past winter) tells us the star’s brainy ways may have led to her classmates’ heckling - and perhaps a reason why she left the Providence, R.I., institution.

The insider says Watson didn’t shy away from class participation and often would “answer something in class and get it right,” calling the 21-year-old actress “really smart.” Unfortunately, this brought out the sophisticated wit and cinematic expertise of her Ivy League peers.

According to the source, her classmates “would respond [to her answer] with a quote from ‘Harry Potter.’” The most popular choice was “Three points for Gryffindor!” - a reference to the movie’s dormitory system, and a congratulatory phrase in the films when a student got a correct answer.

Maybe normalcy never had a chance: Another insider says Watson’s freshman roommate was forced to sign strict confidentiality agreements before moving in with the star.

[From NY Daily News]

CB mentioned her belief that this story is probably a hoax, and I tend to agree because I honestly don’t think that U.S. Ivy League students would even care enough about Harry Potter enough to continue such a lame joke in class on an ongoing basis. Naturally, the Daily Mail has also picked up on the story as if it’s the absolute truth, but Emma has actually denied that anyone in her Brown classes has ever pulled this stunt:

Is it true that someone yelled “10 points to Gryffindor” after you answered a question correctly in a lecture hall at Brown, where you’re a sophomore? –Brent Cronin, BOTHELL, WASH.

Watson: No. Actually, I’m really glad that he asked. That has never happened to me. Maybe someone said it under their breath, but I’ve never, ever had anyone say that when I’ve been in a class.

[From Time]

After reviewing the above conflicting points of view, the only perspective that matters is that Emma herself has indicated that university life and all of its trappings were quite good to her. It’s merely a simple matter of her having better things to do with her life at this point. I do hope she returns and follows through with her undergraduate studies. Although she doesn’t technically need an education because she’s already financially set for life after the Harry Potter franchise, staying in college should at least help to keep her from falling into the life of a drunken starlet. She’s far too smart for that sort of lifestyle.

Photos of Emma Watson shooting a Lancome commercial courtesy of Fame Pictures

American Idol producers are pressuring the contestants to lose weight

Posted: 22 Apr 2011 07:11 AM PDT

This story is in the National Enquirer, but they’ve had some Idol scoops this year and Mike Walker seems to kiss Ryan Seacrest’s ass a lot, so I’m betting they have decent insider information. American Idol has some kids who are normal-looking competing in the finals, and according to the Enquirer they’re “threatening to bring in personal trainers” and are “pushing for a few of them to shed some pounds.” They’re supposedly pressuring James Durbin and Lauren Alaina to lose weight, but have not said anything to gospel singer Jacob Lusk. He’s heavier than anyone (which really isn’t saying much in this case) but they haven’t been bothering him about it for whatever reason.

American Idol producers have warned some of the shows contestants they need to slim down - and they are threatening to bring in personal trainers to whip the pudgy performers into top form for the finale, sources tell the Enquirer.

“The execs don’t want a dumpy looking ‘Idol’,” revealed an insider. “They think that some of the contestants are a little too beefy, and they’re pushing for a few of them to shed some pounds.

“They want to make sure the winner will have a great look to go with the great voice.”

On top of the too-heavy hit list are James Durbin and Lauren Alaina.

“James was told to lay off fattening appetizers and beer in order to get rid of the spare tire he’s acquired,” divulged the insider, “but James [22] loves to eat big meals and constantly snacks on junk food…”

Lauren, 22, stopped eating breads and potatoes earlier in the season because she thought she looked heavy on TV, but now “Idol” honchos are asking [her] to forgo her favorite cheesecake and spend more time in the gym between rehearsals.

Like physically fit Stefano, finalists Casey Abrams, Scotty McCreery and Haley Reinhard don’t need to worry about dropping pounds.

And surprisingly insiders say gospel singer Jacob Lusk - who may be the chubbiest in the bunch - didn’t get a weight loss ultimatum…

“It would have been futile,” added another source. “Jacob would resist any attempt to remake himself into something he’s not.”

[From The National Enquirer, print edition, May 2, 2011]

We just heard that whole controversy about how a heavy woman was told that she would have to leave her front row seats at Idol because she wasn’t cute enough. I believed her story and a couple people there supposedly told her she wasn’t skinny enough to be in the front. So this story seems very plausible to me.

It’s ridiculous that they’re telling these kids to lose weight. The appeal is that they’re normal kids with talent plucked form obscurity (although that’s often not the case, some of them have been seasoned professionals) and people want to see “average” looking people win Idol. These kids are all very cute and attractive already, a few pounds here or there isn’t going to make a difference. The fact that they’re not telling Jacob to lose weight is just an example of Idol wanting their singers to look a part and giving him a pass because he draws comparisons to Luther Vandross. Vandross died of a damn heart attack at 54, and that’s why an employer should be concerned about their employee’s weight, but obviously this has nothing to do with health. (And really, none of these people needs to lose weight for health, although it could benefit most people, yada yada.) It does look like Jacob has lost a little weight recently, though. He looks thinner in more current pictures. (Gray jacket photo is from 3/14, blue jacket is from 3/3.)

Photo credit: WENN.com

Gwyneth Paltrow was all yellow for an LA book signing: canary-fug or really cute?

Posted: 22 Apr 2011 06:58 AM PDT

These are some new shots of Gwyneth Paltrow at a book signing in Los Angeles yesterday. Because Dame Goop will not deign to autograph copies of her book to any peasant living in what she deems "the fly-over, peasant states." Seriously, she only did book signings in Manhattan, New Jersey (eek!) and now LA. This is likely her last stop on the tour. Sources say she stayed for two hours and signed a lot of books. There was a line to meet her and everything. Ah, the peasants coming to worship at the altar of Goop.

The Mail thinks Gwyneth is sending some kind of message with this dress. Something about her marriage and Coldplay's "Yellow" - which is actually still one of my favorite Coldplay songs, and I'm not even a big fan of the band. I wouldn't think Dame Goop would be able to pull off yellow so successfully, but it actually looks nice on her. Here's a closeup of the shoes (and Dame Goop's unmanicured toenails?!?!):

Goop also appears on Ellen today, I think, and there were some just-released quotes from her chat with Ellen. Ellen asked about Gwyneth's singing career, and Goop said: "Well, I haven't signed anything but I'm thinking about it. I kind of have to get my head around the concept of it and how I would want to do it. Do it in a right way. It's hard to think of switching because all the signing I've been doing has been coming out of Country Strong or Glee. So I think, how would I do that? Just a record by myself feels a little scary to me. I would like to in theory but we'll see." When asked if she wants to become a Britney-esque pop star, Gwyneth snotted: "Not totally. She's cornered that market." So… if Gwyneth records an album, it would have to be "country" because no one has "cornered that market" and because Gwyneth thinks she would be more easily accepted in the country world.

Photos courtesy of WENN.

Kirstie Alley is still delusional about her weight, claims to be a size 8

Posted: 22 Apr 2011 06:27 AM PDT

I've never been nasty about Kirstie Alley's weight. I think the woman loves food, and I think she probably hates to exercise, and really, who cares? I'm not related to her, so I'm not going to sit here and give her a lecture about it. BUT, even though I feel a massive "meh" when discussing the size of Kirstie's ass, I will always, always, ALWAYS be a fan of calling out a celebrity on their delusions. It's a cottage industry at this point - The Delusional Industrial Complex, in which celebrities of a certain size publicly proclaim a bold-faced lie about their size.

If Kirstie had just waltzed her way through Dancing With the Stars (get it?) without mentioning specifics about what size she was or specific (fake) numbers on how much weight she lost, we wouldn't be having this conversation. But don't go on the record with Us Weekly, claiming some nonsense that NO ONE could possibly believe. Then you just look crazy. So… yeah. Kristie went to Us Weekly and actually spoke these words: "I started out in a size 12, then an 8, and then I think next week I’ll be in a 6. The real size I want to be in is probably a 4 or a 6. That’s where I look best.” FOR. REAL.

This is a photo of Kirstie from April 13.

Here are photos of Kirstie from April 18.

Size 8? Nope. Not even a 10. Or a 12. Now, I do think she's losing weight. I think she's probably working her ass off, and I think this is likely the most exercise she's had in years, and seriously, GOOD FOR HER. I'm happy for her, and I think she's probably an inspiration to many women. But don't lie about your size. You weren't a size 12 when you started, and you're not a size 8 now. BITCH PLEASE.

I will say this though - what did you guys think was going to happen? She's always been delusional about her weight! Remember this? How about this? And now she relaunching (?) her "Organic Liaison weight loss system" - which is that Scientology crap she was shilling last year. So basically, Kristie is bound and determined to ruin whatever goodwill she might have retained from her Dancing With the Stars appearance.

Photos courtesy of Fame & WENN.

Is Cameron Diaz expecting a proposal from A-Rod? Will she get one?

Posted: 22 Apr 2011 06:26 AM PDT

Cameron Diaz has just recently arrived in London to work on a film called Gambit. She's going to be working with Colin Firth (swoon!) and Alan Rickman (double swoon!), so Camy is a lucky bitch. You can see some new photos of her in London here, at the Mail. I think chica is looking ROUGH. Like, the more I see of her in close-ups, the more I'm convinced that she's living a really hard life. Her skin is… not good. But still, it's nice to run off to London to work with this year's Oscar-winning Best Actor, right? Probably not for Camy, because she left her beloved Alex Rodriguez stateside. Sob! Do you think she calls him every day, multiple times, to check in while he never calls her? You know what would cure that? A night out on the town with Jude Law. I'm just sayin'. Jude would be a perfect flirtation to keep A-Rod's interest piqued. But she probably won't do it. She's riding the A-Rod train (barf) and now she might even be hoping for a ring! Double barf.

Cameron Diaz and Alex Rodriguez are "headed to the altar," says one friend.

Something's changed for Cameron, who has had long-term relationships with Matt Dillon, Jared Leto and Justin Timberlake. "Alex is very loving toward Cameron and protective of her," another pal tells In Touch. "She likes that he's a manly man."

And she loves that he's a family man. Cameron spends a lot of time with Alex's kids, says the pal. Now, the fiercely independent star is so determined to spend time with Alex, she moved to Miami where A-Rod trains, to play a supporting role to him - and step mom to his two young daughters.

And the feeling is mutual. Alex, who checked out nine-carat, Asscher-cut diamonds at NYC's I. Friedman & Son Jewelers in March - "is getting ready to propose," says the friend, who added that the woman who once declared "you don't always live with the person you love forever," has finally met a man she can't live without.

[From In Touch Weekly, print edition]

I love Asscher-cuts. So beautiful, so classic. Is Camy getting an Asscher-cut, 9-carat diamond from Alex? Doubtful. I remember very similar reports when A-Rod was dating Kate Hudson. I think, for whatever reason, A-Rod inspires this in women. Kate Hudson was like this too - it was like she was begging to be in a serious relationship with him, and it just feels like… A-Rod is going to dump Camy the same way.

Photos courtesy of Fame.

NBC wants Tina Fey to take over Saturday Night Live when Lorne Michaels leaves

Posted: 22 Apr 2011 06:19 AM PDT

Mike Walker in the National Enquirer gets a lot of insider entertainment scoops. He was the first to report that a Wall St. sequel was in the works, for example. So this story could be true or it could be wishful thinking. Either way, it could work out well for Saturday Night Live. The lovely and talented Tina Fey is supposedly being courted to take over for SNL head Lorne Michaels whenever it is that Michaels retires. They would be incredibly lucky to have her:

NBC bigs are wooing “Rock” star/creator/Bossypants Tina Fey, former “Saturday Night Live” head writer, to take over the whole “SNL” shebang whenever exec producer Lorne Michaels, 66, retires from the show he created in 1975. (Let’s stand up and shout, America, “Yay!”) Said an NBC source: “The execs feel no one’s better qualified to take over the reins than Tina. Having her onboard guarantees the show’s success after Lorne leaves.” Insiders say Tina, who’s pregnant with her second child, loves the idea of helming “SNL” - and because the show takes many breaks throughout the season, it fits her mommy schedule perfectly.

[From The National Enquirer, print edition, Mike Walker's column, May 2, 2011]

SNL sucks lately. The few times I’ve watched it recently I’ve wondered why the jokes didn’t have proper punchlines and why the skits went on about twice as long as they should have. (There have been some funny bits where they rip on celebrities, but they’re few and far between.) Of course Tina would do a great job at making the show both entertaining and topical again. She won a lot of Emmys for her work on the show and she brought it to new heights in the early 2000s. She may have too many other things going on to consider it, though.

We recently heard Alec Baldwin say that next year would be the last one for 30 Rock, because the contracts were ending. Kaiser thinks Alec was just trying to negotiate for a better contract. She also told me that last night was the 100th episode of 30 Rock and that it was really good. You know, I’d rather see Tina branch off into her other endeavors than come back and save SNL. I feel like that show has run itself into the ground and doesn’t deserve saving. It needs to fade out when Michaels leaves.

Tina is shown on 4/11/11. Credit: Fame. Lorne Michaels is shown on 2/28/11. Credit: WENN.com

Is Sean Penn telling Scarlett Johansson to lose weight?

Posted: 22 Apr 2011 05:58 AM PDT

It's time for our weekly installment of Sean Penn-Scarlett Johansson tabloid short fiction! Hurray! In this week's episode, 50-year-old Sean Penn tells his 26-year-old girlfriend that she's a heifer. Did this really happen? Doubtful. As I said, he's 50. She's 26. He's happy that he's got her biscuits on layaway. But of course, I guess it could be true. Sean Penn is a d-bag, and he could conceivably be That Guy who passive-aggressively kills his girlfriend's soul by "encouraging" her to dump the (in this case very minor) chunk.

They aren't married, but the honeymoon is over for Sean Penn and Scarlett Johansson. They had a huge fight after Sean confronted Scarlett about her drinking, smoking and - gasp! - weight gain. He's encouraging Scarlett, who packed on a few pounds after splitting from Ryan Reynolds, to excerise and diet, Star has learned.

"Sean's urging Scarlett to go on a health kick, which she's taken personally since she's touchy about being heavier than she's like," says a source. The row between Sean and Scarlett erupted on April 10 after he suggested she go running with him and pal Owen Wilson but she initially refused. Sean said he was trying to motivate her, which made her seethe.

"Scarlett wants to lose weight, but she doesn't want Sean telling her she should," the source adds. Scarlett's cravings are especially intense because she's also trying to quit smoking. But when the two go out to dinner, she orders salads and Sean orders burgers - "which is cruel," says the source.

"They've made up, but if this is how they fight when they're madly in love, what happens later?"

[From Star Magazine, print edition]

Um, Sean is a chain-smoker, last I heard. And I would imagine it would be really easy to keep the weight off if you were dating him, because every time his 50-year-old hands touched your 26-year-old body, you would throw up a little bit? Is that a special category of eating disorder? Purge-boning? EW. *vom* I grossed myself out. But yeah, I doubt Sean is Mr. Health(although he seems to be working out more, so maybe he’s trying to keep up with Scar?), and my theory is that he doesn't really care if Scarlett has put on a little weight. Because, you know. Her 26-year-old biscuits.

In other tabloid fan-fiction, In Touch Weekly reports that not only are Scar and Sean living together (we already knew that), but Sean's son Hopper has moved in too. Apparently, Hopper is a chip of the ol' block, and he's some kind of crazy hell-raiser and Robin Wright was all "Move in with your father, D-Bag Junior." So, there are complications:

She may be ready to rush down the aisle with Sean Penn, but Scarlett Johansson may not be eager to become a step mom to her new beau's wild child. Sean's son Hopper, 17, has moved in with his dad after tormenting neighbors on mom Robin Wright's Santa Monica street.

"He has an excessive temper and loud friends," a family insider tells In Touch. "Robin was getting complaints about big parties."

Perhaps an unruly stepson - who is a mere nine years younger than his dad's girlfriend - will make Scarlett think twice about a whirlwind wedding!

[From In Touch Weekly, print edition]

I bet Scarlett and Hopper are probably cool with each other. But I would be very interested in knowing what Sean's daughter Dylan thought of Scarlett. I hope Dylan is a chip off her mom's block, and sits there in judgment of her dad's young, corpsey, vacant girlfriend.

Photos courtesy of WENN.

Jeremy Renner is officially the lead in the Bourne series reboot

Posted: 22 Apr 2011 05:42 AM PDT

We have to start with the caveat that Renner is not playing Jason Bourne, he’s playing another lead assassin spy character so that they can continue this successful franchise without relying on Matt Damon and director Paul Greengrass. Greengrass had some issues with Universal after going way over budget for The Green Zone. Damon is loyal to Greengrass, and while he’s vacillated on whether he’ll do another Bourne movie his latest comments have him leaving the door open as long as Greengrass comes back to direct. So that hasn’t happened yet and they need to get the ball rolling on this sequel reboot nonsense so they can cash in on the Bourne name.

We’ve heard casting rumors for a while, including that Shia “mommy issues” Labeouf was in talks for the alterna-Bourne role. Thank goodness that’s not happening. We now have confirmation of the rumor that Jeremy Renner is the new lead:

The search is over. Universal Pictures has formally offered Jeremy Renner the lead role in the Tony Gilroy-directed The Bourne Legacy. Renner, who has been nominated for Oscars the past two years for his work in The Hurt Locker and The Town, is expected to sign on quickly to play a new character in the spinoff film that begins production in September. Like the Jason Bourne character played by Matt Damon in the first three The Bourne Identity thrillers, Renner will play an operative from a covert government program that is even more dangerous than the Treadstone brainwashing program that hatched Bourne.

Renner was one of the names rumored as the studio went through two cycles of tests over eight weeks to find the right guy. That decision was made today. Even though Renner plays an operative in the upcoming Mission: Impossible-Ghost Protocol, the studio felt clearly that he was in a position similar to where Damon was when his career took off with Bourne. Renner is not a kid, but he is really hitting his stride and poised to become a big star after numerous strong performances.

[From Deadline]

As Kaiser wrote when she first covered this rumor, the series is named Bourne. It’s about one character, that’s his last name (his new last name) and yet somehow they’re putting some other spy in there and giving us a spinoff. How are they going to present that? They’re going to need to be creative about branding and making Renner’s character into his own kick-ass guy. That said, he’s a great choice. He’s can easily show the same kind of dual humanity and “take no prisoners” persona that Damon embodies because he’s a fabulous actor. He won’t fill Damon’s shoes though, and it’s a good thing they’re not trying to do that. It’s going to be a bitch to try and do justice to this incredible series with a fourth movie and a new character, but I hope they at least try.

Jeremy Renner is shown on 2/27/11 at the VF Oscar Party. Credit: WENN and Fame. Bourne photos via AllMoviePhoto