It official! Matt Damon will reprise his role as Jason Bourne in a fifth instalment of the 'Bourne' film franchise, which will be directed by the returning Paul Greengrass, with a release date slated as early as 2016.

Matt Damon
Damon will reprise his role as Jason Bourne in a fifth movie

In September it was reported that Damon and the English filmmaker were in talks to collaborate on another 'Bourne' film, and during a red carpet interview with E! Friday (Nov 7th), the actor's best friend Ben Affleck confirmed that this was correct.

While celebrating season 4 of 'Project Greenlight,' Affleck joked that Damon would give his new Batman physique some stiff competition. "Well, [Damon's] going to be doing a Bourne movie next fall when I've just completely lost any semblance of physical fitness," the 42 year-old actor said.

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"Yes, next year," Damon, who also attended the event, later said, confirming his 'Good Will Hunting' co-star's announcement. "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."

Greengras will also allegedly pen the script of the new instalment, making this the first time he has had any creative input into the writing process even though he directed the second and third 'Bourne' films.

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It is also worth noting that the film studio did continue the franchise with a spin-off flick starring Jeremy Renner as spy Aaron Cross in 2012's 'The Bourne Legacy.' Interestingly, Universal already has plans for a 'Legacy' sequel with 'Fast & Furious' helmer Justin Lin acquired as the director, for a July 16th, 2016 release, but it is now believed that this will be pushed back for the proposed 'Bourne' film.