Anthony Peckham tapped to write fifth 'Bourne' movie

HOLLYWOOD, Aug. 3 (UPI) -- Universal Pictures is moving forward with the fifth film of the "Bourne" franchise, hiring Anthony Peckham to pen the script, The Hollywood Reporter said.

Actor Jeremy Renner will return as Aaron Cross, a medically enhanced covert operative, much like the franchise's namesake and lead character in the first three installments, Jason Bourne, played by Matt Damon.

The fourth film in the series, starring Renner, opened at No. 1 at the U.S. box office in 2012 with $38.1 million, The Hollywood Reporter said. The film went on to gross $276.1 million worldwide.

Peckham wrote the Nelson Mandela biopic, "Invictus," starring Damon and Morgan Freeman, and "Sherlock Holmes," starring Robert Downey Jr.