Greengrass and Damon on the set of The Bourne Ultimatum
Ever since the rock 'em, sock 'em Bourne Ultimatum in 2007, moviegoers have been anxiously awaiting the fourth installment of the Bourne series, which has been reportedly in development for a while.
The stumbling block to the film's progression came last week when Paul Greengrass, the director of Supremacy and Ultimatum, pulled out of the project. "My decision to not return a third time as director is simply about feeling the call for a different challenge," Greengrass said in a statement. "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."
Possible replacements for Greengrass were discussed, including scriptwriter Tony Gilroy, who penned the scripts to the three previous films. George Nolfi, who co-wrote Ultimatum with Gilroy, was also discussed, but his script for the fourth film was shelved in favor of Josh Zetumer (who edited the script for Quantum of Solace) doing a different version.
However, Matt Damon has recently made it clear that he has no interest in being in a Bourne 4 if Greengrass is not involved, providing a potential stalemate for the film. Damon, who is currently appearing in Clint Eastwood's Invictus and will appear in Greengrass' Green Zone in March), was optimistic that Greengrass would return, however.
"I feel like someday it’s going to happen," Damon mused optimistically. "We just don’t have a script right now and so there’s no reason to try to put a round peg into a square hole. People like the franchise, including us, but the only reason to do another one is if we can make it great."
He also thinks that Greengrass can be swayed into returning in the future, provided that there's a good script. "I wouldn’t do it without him but I don’t feel like he’s done with it totally. I think he’d change his mind if a good script came along. If there was a great Bourne idea, he would love to do it. It’s a big part of his life, too. We’re still going to keep working together — and hopefully on another Bourne movie too."
Greengrass isn't the only director to helm the Bourne series; The Bourne Identity was directed by Doug Liman, who went on to direct Mr. and Mrs. Smith and Jumper. He executive produced the two Greengrass-directed sequels.
