Rachel Weisz has echoed her 'Bourne Legacy' co-star Edward Norton's sentiments and has admitted the reason she signed up for the new film is because it is “realistic.”

The 41-year-old actress thinks audiences will be able to identify with her character Marta quite easily. She said she loved seeing her on-screen alter ego transform from scientist to “warrior.”

Weisz said; “I really like the idea of an action movie that is realistic, rather than a superhero movie or people with magic powers.

“And I thought she was a very well-drawn, complicated character, which you almost never get in a genre picture.

“As Marta, I am a civilian, I am a scientist. I have a gun because I live alone and this is America. I love that as an audience member you can identify with her and think, 'That could be me. What if I was in that situation?' You get to see the evolution from normal bod to action heroine, she becomes a kind of warrior. And she gets put through a lot.”

It seems Rachel and Edward may have discussed the realism of the new blockbuster film together, as the two artists believe it is what makes 'The Bourne Legacy' so great.

'The Bourne Legacy' stars Jeremy Renner and is released in Irish cinemas next week.

Rachel admits she has made some “ridiculous” career decisions in the past and says trying to plan her movies never goes according to plan.

Asked if she plans out her career ahead of her, Rachel said; “Yes, but it has never worked out. I've had times when I think I want to do something specific next. After 'The Constant Gardener' I wanted to do a comedy. I just couldn't take anything else intense for a bit.

“So I turned down everything to do a comedy, which is a ridiculous game plan. And then a role comes along that you never thought of doing, and you connect with it, and you end up doing it.”

'The Bourne Legacy' is released in Irish cinemas on August 17^th and you can view the trailer here.