Caffeinated Clint
Matt Damon won’t be back for the recently announced “Bourne Legacy”, according to the film’s writer/director Tony Gilroy.
Gilroy tells Jeffrey Wells that though the movie will share the same title as the Robert Ludlum book of the same name it’ll dance to it’s own beat.
”It’s a completely original screenplay….This is not a reboot or a recast or a prequel. No one’s replacing Matt Damon. There will be a whole new hero, a whole new chapter…this is a stand-alone project.”
Gilroy suggests Matt Damon’s Jason Bourne might be in a “Legacy” sequel, but he won’t be present for this chapter.The character will, however, be referenced heavily.
“The easiest way to think of it is an expansion or a reveal…Jason Bourne will not be in this film, but he’s very much alive. What happened in the first three films is the trigger for what happens. I’m building a legend and an environment and a wider conspiracy…the world we’re making enhances and advances and invites Jason Bourne’s return [down the road].”
Gilroy described the film as somewhat of a sequel to the original three “Bourne” pictures.
“Everything you saw in the first three films actually happened, and everyone who got into will be rewarded for paying attention. We’re going to show you the bigger picture, the bigger canvas. When you see what we’re going and see what we’re doing it’ll be pretty obvious….but Jason Bourne’s actvities in the first three films is the immediate trigger.”
I’m open to this idea – heck, I’m open to any idea that doesn’t involve hiring another actor to play Jason Bourne.
Previously…
You’ll recall a couple of months ago that director Paul Greengrass and actor Matt Damon announced they’d no longer be making a fourth “Bourne” flick as planned.
Greengrass, speaking every so diplomatically in a press release, cited a lack of interest in shooting a third sequel in the successful series as his reason for the walk-out (And with Greengrass out, Damon also let the studio know that he wasn’t interested in doing another).
“My decision to not return a third time as director is simply about feeling the call for a different challenge”, Greengrass said in the statement, released last December. “There’s been no disagreement with Universal Pictures. The opportunity to work with the Bourne family again is a difficult thing to pass up, but we have discussed this together and they have been incredibly understanding and supportive. I’ve been lucky enough to have made four films for Universal, and our relationship continues. Jason Bourne existed before me and will continue, and I hope to remain involved in some capacity as the series moves on.”
Damon said shortly after that he expects the “Bourne” franchise to continue – suggesting Universal would probably do a prequel.The actor didn’t rule out returning to the role down-the-track.
In an interesting turn of events, it was announced this morning that Tony Gilroy, writer of the three “Bourne” films, had been tapped to write “The Bourne Legacy” – a ‘sequel’, not a prequel, to “The Bourne Ultimatum”. Matt Damon, the trades say, is still expected to sit this one out.
Or is he? Is Damon really going to pass on such a big payday!? Is he willing to hand his signature character over to some other punk? Anyone else think that the Oscar Winning actor/writer has since changed his mind and is quietly having his handlers negotiate a deal for him as we speak?
Expect more news on “The Bourne Legacy” (which, despite robbing it’s title from one of Robert Ludlum’s “Bourne” films, will likely have nothing to do with the book – none of the “Bourne” films have).
