Universal Developing a Fifth Jason Bourne Movie
Universal is regaining its memory of its superspy franchise. Deadline exclusively reveals that it has heard from sources that Universal Pictures wants to make another Jason Bourne movie, and it’s negotiating with Edward Bergman, director of All Quiet on the Western Front, to helm it. Deadline stresses that these are very early stages, with no script ready yet, but once that is in place, they will approach Matt Damon to return as Jason Bourne. Damon played the character in four previous films over fourteen years: The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy, The Bourne Ultimatum, and Jason Bourne. There was also a spin-off movie without Bourne called The Bourne Legacy. The films are very (very) loosely based on a trilogy of spy books by Robert Ludlum, which has continued after the author’s death with different writers.
I’m glad to hear this, at least right now. I know many were disappointed with it, but I loved Jason Bourne and thought it set up an interesting new direction for the series and the character. For a long time, it looked like it would be the last word on Bourne, but with studios scrambling to use any IP they own, I guess this was inevitable. I hope Damon will return; he’s indicated in the past that he wouldn’t do one without Paul Greengrass, who’s directed every Bourne movie since The Bourne Supremacy. But I’d like some new blood; I don’t care for Greengrass’ shaky cam and quick cuts (or the hell they wrought on the action genre), and I’d like to see Bourne in more capable hands. I didn’t see All Quiet on the Western Front or either of Edward Bergman’s other films, so I don’t know anything about his visual style, but I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. I’d really like for this to come together.
