Politics, politics, politics. It’s the name of the game in Hollywood. Earlier this summer, producer Frank Marshall insisted Matt Damon wasn’t returning to the ‘Bourne’ series (because he had to) and now, he’s essentially admitting to it because the cards are all on the table. Yes, Matt Damon is coming back to play Jason Bourne, but it’s complicated (as THR says, “Let’s hope Matt Damon and Jeremy Renner don’t bump into each other at a restaurant.”).
"We’re on two tracks," Marshall told the trade about the two ‘Bourne’ currently movies in the works. "And if this one [with Damon and Paul Greengrass] comes together, great, but they’re still just talking." Indeed, it seems as if the Damon/Greengrass iteration is still in the early stages and it could get more difficult.
THR runs down a lot of the complex factors involved. Greengrass could be directing a movie with Leonardo DiCaprio and Jonah Hill for 20th Century Fox, and there’s some speculation that the ‘Bourne’ announcement is a move to force Fox’s hand in green lighting the picture (it certainly wouldn’t be the first time filmmakers have used the trades to push their agenda). Greengrass and his longtime editor Christopher Rouse are said to have a strong concept for where Jason Bourne could go next, but it’s uncertain if the Fox drama will go first.
If it does, it’s unlikely that the Matt Damon ‘Bourne’ movie would be ready for summer 2016—the date that’s currently carved out for some kind of ‘Bourne’ film. Marshall says no deals are in place for either Damon or Greengrass, which enforces the idea we’re still in the earliest stages. THR says the director and star have been mulling over the idea more than a year, which is certainly what we’ve been hearing, as well as Latino Review, who first broke the news earlier this summer.
Meanwhile, what’s going on with the sequel to “The Bourne Legacy” starring Jeremy Renner and directed by Justin Lin? Marshall insists its still in the works. "That movie is moving forward," Marshall avowed. "It’s still in development. We’re working to get a script as soon as possible."
But there’s already talk that version can’t make its date because Lin will direct some episodes of “True Detective” season two (which now seems to be official). That said, production starts this fall, the new season airs next summer, and Lin likely won’t be as super busy as Cary Fukunaga was when he directed the entire season. (Multiple directors are expected to work on the second season).
What does it all mean in the end? Uncertainty over which ‘Bourne’ film will arrive in the summer of 2016 (if any), and it may not get figured out for a few months. Keep your ears to the ground for now.
