Universal Pictures has released a new poster and teaser trailer for their upcoming super-spy sequel The Bourne Legacy. You can check them both out here below.

The gritty, globe-trotting action franchise inspired by the novels of the late Robert Ludlum seemed to have wrapped up with 2007’s The Bourne Ultimatum, which was star Matt Damon and director Paul Greengrass’ farewell to the series that made them both household names in Hollywood. But never underestimate a studio’s willingness to exploit a viable cash cow for every penny its worth.

We’ve known for a while now that Matt Damon would not be returning for the fourth film in the Bourne series, titled The Bourne Legacy. We’ve also known that two–time Academy Award–nominee Jeremy Renner (The Town, The Hurt Locker) would be replacing Damon as a new character along the same lines as Jason Bourne, but not as Bourne himself.

Since then Rachel Weisz has been cast as the love interest, and now it’s being reported that Edward Norton is in talks to join the cast as well. Norton would be playing the film’s villain, but not much else is known about the character or his villainous ways.

Earlier this month news broke that Collateral and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind star Mark Ruffalo was in deep talks to take on the role of the Incredible Hulk in Marvel Studios’ The Avengers. According to Deadline, this is now etched-in-stone confirmed.

The reports indicate that Brillstein Entertainment Partners and Marvel have reached an official deal and that Ruffalo is signed and sealed. This would set up a potentially exciting reveal tomorrow during the Marvel panel when the entire cast of The Avengers is expected to appear together.

*UPDATED BELOW*

The recent drama involving Edward Norton and Marvel came out of nowhere and escalated quickly.

The comic book movie-making studio decided that their all-important baby, The Avengers, was too crucial to bring the actor back to play the Hulk considering his potential for becoming a loose-cannon on the set. Despite his reputation, Norton’s work on The Incredible Hulk was popular enough to see quite the backlash come of this decision, but what’s done is done and a new actor was needed to make us all happy again.

According to reports from Deadline, Marvel Studios may just have found their Hulk replacement, and you might not hate the choice. According to a source, the studio is currently in “late-stage” talks with Mark Ruffalo. If true, this means that not only is he a top choice but that they’ve settled on him and are trying to work out a deal. And assuming that Mr. Ruffalo is as he seems to us, you have to imagine it would get done.

It sure has been fun following the word sparring between Marvel’s Kevin Feige and Edward Norton’s agent, Brian Swardstrom, hasn’t it? Feige announced this week that Norton would not be returning as Bruce Banner/The Hulk in future Marvel films, namely The Avengers, which prompted a defensive response from the actor’s agent.

Well hang on tight kids because there’s more fun to be had with this one!

In typical 2010 fashion, the man himself, Edward Norton, has now released an official statement to us via his official Facebook page! Check out the full statement here below.

His statement seems too politically correct for my tastes. I want to hear what Norton’s ACTUALLY thinking without having to worry about ruffling any feathers!