It looks like Universal Studios are going ahead with the fourth Bourne movie, even though they seem to be missing one vital thing, Jason Bourne himself – Matt Damon. Well, they are missing two vital things, the other being Paul Greengrass who directed the second and third instalments of the Bourne franchise: The Bourne Supremacy (2004) and The Bourne Ultimatum (2007). Rumour has it that Greengrass had a bit of a tense relationship with Universal, and we are left wondering if that has something to do with choosing director Tony Gilroy to direct the next film, The Bourne Legacy. Gilroy co-wrote the screenplays for the other three Bourne movies, and has directed Michael Clayton and Duplicity in recent years.
Diplomatic Damon has explained that: ‘ Jason Bourne is alive in the world that Tony’s going to create. I don’t appear in it, but it’s very much that world. As far as Paul and I are concerned, as long as there’s room for us to come in and do another one, we’re thrilled.’
Non-diplomatic Damon said that he: ‘found out they’re making another when somebody saw it on the Internet. Nobody bothered to call me. I’m not in it, but even so, they’ll work Bourne into the title I guess. Universal just wants to call everything the Bourne something. So I guess they are trying to make another franchise and as they say, “It isn’t over until it’s over”.’
Damon turned 40 this year, and in regards to action, the Bourne roles are about as full on as they come. That said, with movies like The Expendables gracing our screens, and Sly, Willis and the boys proving that age is no boundary, Damon has a few good years left in him.
Damon and Greengrass appear to have some kind of bromance going on, with Damon saying: ‘I love the character. I love the stories. But only if Paul Greengrass says he will direct again. So far, though, he’s decided not to. I’d definitely say yes if he went for it. I know he would have a great story, and it would protect the legacy of what we created. There would be no disappointment for anybody, but we wait.’
And so do we. A Bourne movie without Matt Damon is no movie at all.
