Damon Stands In For Brad

Matt Damon is in the final stages of negotiation for the lead role in The Bourne Identity. According to reports in today's Variety, Damon became interested in the role when Brad Pitt - who was first choice - fell out of the running due to scheduling difficulties. Damon will be the second person to take on the role - Richard Chamberlain was the first in a made-for-TV series back in 1988. The latest version, directed by Doug Liman will begin production this Autumn. The film is based on the book of the same title by thriller author Robert Ludlum and tells the tale of Jason Bourne who is washed up on a Mediterranean shore half-dead and suffering from amnesia. It's Bourne's efforts to retrieve his lost memory which result in a host of seedy character coming out of the woodwork trying to kill him.