Matt Damon Says It's Unlikely He'll Be Bourne Again

The odds of Matt Damon returning to the big screen as Jason Bourne are looking longer than ever judging from a conversation I had with the actor on Tuesday night. Damon, who's still sporting a shaved head for his work on the sci-fi thriller Elysium, was part of the starry crowd that turned out for a special private screening of Argo, which was beautifully directed by his bud and Good Will Hunting co-writer Ben Affleck. During a dinner at the Porter House steakhouse in the Time Warner Center, I asked Damon if there had been any movement on reports that he could reprise his role after Jeremy Renner's portrayal of Aaron Cross in The Bourne Legacy, another agent in the Robert Ludlum-created universe, this past summer.

"There has not been any movement," Damon told me, explaining that though "I've always been open to it as long as Paul Greengrass directs, I don't think he's going to do it." Damon laughed when he said this, as if, perhaps, he was downplaying how Greengrass really felt about The Bourne Legacy, or perhaps because he had his own falling-out with Gilroy — who has been a writer on every Bourne film and directed Legacy — over the script to the third movie, The Bourne Ultimatum.

Asked why Greengrass was loathe to return to the franchise, Damon said that although he hadn't seen Legacy yet, "from what I understand, it kind of relives [The Bourne Ultimatum] from a different perspective." (Legacy is meant to take place concurrently with the events of the third movie, and Jason Bourne is referenced.)

"What that means, because they use our actors and characters, is that whatever they said [in Legacy] is true and so we'd have to acknowledge it in any Bourne movie that we'd do. And that makes it really tough," Damon said with another laugh, noting: "I don't think we can do the Dallas it-was-all-a-dream scenario . I don't think the audience would go for that after they paid money to see a movie."

"I'd really love to do another one because I love the character," Damon said, but then he pointed out another issue that would make it "a real struggle to extend the franchise": Bourne's search to "find his identity" was what drove him through the first three movies. Now that he has answered that question, Damon said, "where do you go next?"

Matt Damon: 'I'd love to figure out a way to make another 'Bourne' film'

Matt Damon has sparked fresh hope that he could return to the Bourne franchise by claiming he'd "love to figure out a way" to make another film in the series.

Damon starred as amnesiac spy Jason Bourne in 2002's The Bourne Identity and reprised the role for two sequels, 2004's The Bourne Supremacy and 2007's Bourne Ultimatum. However, he opted not to return for this year's The Bourne Legacy, which instead centred on a character called Aaron Cross played by Jeremy Renner.

Earlier this year (October 12), Damon seemingly distanced himself from a return to the series by claiming it would be "really tough" to make a new film but, in an interview with Playboy, he hinted he would be open to the possibility of another outing as Bourne in the future.

He said:


However, he seemed doubtful that there could be a film featuring both he and Renner, adding: "I don't see those characters teaming up with anybody." Asked for his views on The Bourne Legacy, meanwhile, he said: "Jeremy Renner is a terrific actor. I love everything he does. I have not seen the movie yet, but it isn't in protest or anything. When it came out last summer, I was filming a movie about Liberace right up to the end of August. We then had to rush back to New York, where we live, so we could get the kids settled and into school."

Matt Damon says Bourne return depends on script

Matt Damon has confirmed that he is still open to idea of returning to the Bourne franchise.

Damon starred as amnesiac spy Jason Bourne in 2002's The Bourne Identity and reprised the role for two sequels, 2004's The Bourne Supremacy and 2007's Bourne Ultimatum. However, he opted not to return for this year's The Bourne Legacy, which instead centred on a character called Aaron Cross played by Jeremy Renner.

Speaking last October (2012), Damon claimed that it would be "really tough" for him to return to the franchise following events in Renner's film. However, by December the actor seemed more open-minded, saying: "I'd love to figure out a way to make another one."

In the past, Damon has always insisted that he will only make another Bourne movie if Paul Greengrass - who helmed Supremacy and Ultimatum - returns to the director's chair. During a new interview with Collider, Damon confirmed that his return will depend on Greengrass and the quality of the script.

Damon explained: "If someone wrote a good script, I would consider revisiting it. I'm just tied to Paul Greengrass, so if they could ever figure out a story, I'd consider it. That's why we didn't do it the last time. They hadn't cracked one for my character, so they did one with Jeremy [Renner]."

Universal Boss Talks Up Bourne 5

The Hollywood Reporter spoke to Universal Pictures chairman Adam Fogelson recently, and in amongst the Ted-hugging and box office mathematics, there were a few titbits about where the studio is heading next, including some hints at what shape the fifth Bourne film will take.

"The point of [The Bourne Legacy] was to create a universe, a world and characters that give us a lot of freedom and flexibility in how we go forward. Yeah, the movie didn't perform the way the last one did. It also didn't cost what the last one did. It performed more along the lines of how the first one did."

The Jeremy Renner-helmed actioner from last year earned $276 million worldwide. The Bourne Ultimatum, meanwhile, earnt $442 million worldwide.

"I absolutely see us doing more Bourne, 100 per cent yes. Matt has talked about the possibility of coming back, and we totally respect that and are excited if and when he wants to have conversations. But I think the last movie gave us a big bunch of options to pursue a next chapter."

Matt Damon says money for another 'Bourne' film' is starting to "get there."
"I'm starting to come around to this thing," says the evil one from School Ties.

Ben Affleck Hoping Jason Bourne Has Sidekick In Next Movie

LOS ANGELES—Actor Ben Affleck, best known for his role in the 2003 film Daredevil, told reporters Monday he would really like to see action hero Jason Bourne, played by longtime friend Matt Damon, acquire a sidekick in his next film.

"I was thinking that the character, who would probably be Bourne's childhood friend, could really breathe some new life into the series," said Affleck, adding that the Jason Bourne character ran the risk of boring American audiences if the superspy wasn't allowed to show a more human side in his films. "I envision the sidekick as being taller, slightly beefier, and having darker hair than Bourne. He may not be the smartest, but he could provide comic relief and would always look out for his best friend."

"I know a few people who would play the part," the Jersey Girl and Gigli star continued. "Hell, even I would put some projects aside to do it if that's what the producers wanted."

I like Bourne Legacy. Renner's character was cool.

Drawing on Evil's Batman analogy, it was more like seeing a solo Nightwing movie. Which I'd like.

Just don't call it Bourne if there's no Bourne. And yeah, a good Nightwing movie would be...good.

The title 'The Bourne Legacy' is actually very fitting because everything that happens in this movienis a direct result of Bourne's actions in The Bourne Ultimatum.

It's like the old Superman Family or Batman Family comics -- they may have featured Robin or Supergirl but the comics are aptly named.

The next one should be "The Bourne Bourn-ey Bourne."

Universal Developing Another ‘Bourne’ With Jeremy Renner

Universal is moving forward a fifth iteration of “The Bourne Identity” franchise, tapping Anthony Peckham to write the script to the next movie.

The story will center on Aaron Cross, the black ops character introduced by Jeremy Renner in 2012′s “The Bourne Legacy.”

Frank Marshall and Captivate Entertainment’s Ben Smith and Jeffrey Weiner are on board to produce the fifth “Bourne.” Marshall also produced “The Bourne Legacy,” which was directed by Tony Gilroy.

Matt Damon, who portrayed Jason Bourne in the first three films, indicated earlier this year that he would not return to the franchise unless Paul Greengrass was directing. Greengrass directed the second and third films.

Jason Bourne is based on the character created by novelist Robert Ludlum. “The Bourne Legacy” grossed $276 million worldwide.

Peckham’s credits include “Sherlock Holmes” and “Invictus.” He is repped by WME and Anonymous.

"The Bourne Family"

"Bourne Free"

(Matt Damon is returned to Boston and released into the wild.)

Peckham’s credits include “Sherlock Holmes” and “Invictus.” He is repped by WME and Anonymous.