Will The Next Bourne Be A Prequel? Exclusive: Matt Damon says it could be
While we were doing the red carpet thing at last night’s premiere of Invictus, we cornered Matt Damon and demanded that he tell us just what the HECK is going on with Bourne IV, following Paul Greengrass’ recent departure. What he told us will rock you to your very core:
“There’ll probably be a prequel of some kind with another actor and another director before we do another one,” he said, “just because I think we’re probably another five years away from doing it – we’ve got to get a script…”
OK, note the word ‘probably’. Could mean all kinds of things – that Damon is engaging in pure speculation, for one. But if anyone’s going to have the inside track on Universal’s plans for Bourne, it’s David Webb himself. So… does this mean that Universal has decided to – and here comes that dread word – reboot one of their biggest franchises?
Maybe, maybe… If so, it would contradict recent whispers that tentative feelers have been put out to a major director to fill Greengrass’ shoes, but there’s no doubting the appeal of a reboot for Universal. If they plough ahead with Bourne IV, they’ll have to persuade Damon to come back - a tough call, given his very public vow to work only with Greengrass on the movie. But by rebooting, with a new director and a younger actor, the problem is solved.
And in a way, this could mean that audiences could well get the best of both worlds – they would get a prequel that shows just how bad-ass Bourne was before he became the amnesiac assassin with a conscience, and eventually get to see an older, wiser Damon reprise the role for one final time.
Of course, the plot of Bourne IV has been something of a thorny issue, with multiple screenwriters no closer to cracking the story. And Damon admits that they’re none the wiser. “If you have any ideas, call Universal,” he laughed. “They’d love for you to get in touch!”
Maybe we will… and while we’re at it, we’ll poke around some, see if there’s any truth in Damon’s suppositions.
I loved Bourne Identity, but thought that the last two were not very good. Greengrass made two very highly overrated movies in my opinion. Damon was great as Bourne, but the series has to do a prequel if anything. The storyline is done and all they want to do now is cash in. They always tried to say how much better it was than Bond because Bourne was 'different' and killing really affected him emotionally, but a prequel is the only logical direction to go and he'd be just the same as Bond, a... Read More
I always wondered how and why Bourne grows a conscience as a result of amnesia?? I suppose his willingness to become an assassin in the first place could be explored in a prequel and my vote would be for Chris Pine to play the younger Bourne. From a story point of view I would prefer it is left alone and we use our imaginations to fill in these blanks but if there is money to be made (and I'm sure there is) you know the studios will make another movie. Go Chris go.
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Whatever happens with Bourne 4 the script will probably include
a) A gritty car chase probably set to a nice dance choon
b) Bourne having to brush off a lady for her own good.
c) Bourne using an unusual item as a weapon
d) A shady government operative
e) Bourne supposedly finding out all he needs to know but not really as there has to a be a sequel even though the poster promises that all will be revealed, honest.
The formula was good for two films and passable for a third but time to ... Read More
Goddamn, what's wrong with leaving it at three? I personally thought the formula was getting a little repetitive by Ultimatum ("We're going to nab him, we have the upper hand in this very public place!" (ring ring) "Hello... he's turned the tables! EVERYBODY RUN!" ad infinitum), but still enjoyed all three films. It may be naive to ask for a little creativity from Hollywood, but let the story end with Ultimatum. Please? ... Read More
LOL, rebooting the Bourne Franchise just because Damon wont sign on without Greengrass. Hell that would be like Sony deciding to reboot Spider-man because maguire wont sign on without Raimi, hey wait a minute................ ... Read More
