Usually when a popular name is cast in a movie that has a solid buzz behind it, there’s a nice official announcement in the trades or via press release. In an interesting turn of events, it appears that this particular announcement was made in subtle passing.

In an article by The New York Times about how big of a boost it is to directors, writers, and actors after they grab themselves an Academy Award nomination, The Hurt Locker star Jeremy Renner became the focus. While talking about how great his nod for Best Actor has been, and how it will allow him to get comfortable and pick the roles that he wants, it was revealed that Renner will be appearing in James McTeigue‘s The Raven.

We’ve heard about the V for Vendetta and Ninja Assassin director’s Raven project a couple of times, but not since November of last year. Information up to that point was that it would be about the last days of author Edgar Allan Poe, and that a fictional element of him having to help solve a string of mysterious murders based on his own stories. The script is written by Hannah Shakespeare and Ben Livingston.

No specifications are given, but one would assume that Renner will be playing Poe. The story also reveals that Ewan McGregor is currently in negotiations to co-star in the movie.

Renner is also apparently in talks for two other big projects, as well. One is the lead role in Peter Berg’s Battleship movie, and the other is being kept a big secret. Word is that Renner has had about five “meetings” about this mystery project, but wouldn’t say what it was. If that role is offered to him, he would be choosing between these two.

I’m not familiar with the comic, but could Mr. Jeremy Renner be one of the contenders for the role of Captain America in The Last Avenger: Captain America? Just a wild, wild guess.