But he was also a theater producer, a part owner of an acting company and an actor.
VOA: special.2010.01.06
The hunt for the right actor to play the franchise's new agent was a long and publicly documented one, a process that was difficult because Gilroy knew he needed anactor with the skill to carry the theatrical components but who could also handle the physical rigor of the shoot.
To top it off, they also needed anactor unknown enough to not draw immediate past references in the minds of moviegoers, but not so new there wasn't any recognition at all.