Is Paul Greengrass Finished with the BOURNE Franchise?

The Playlist (who have become heavy hitters with exclusives) is reporting that director Paul Greengrass, the critically acclaimed helmer of The Bourne Supremacy, The Bourne Ultimatum, United 93, and the upcoming Iraq War-thriller Green Zone, will not be coming back for a fourth Jason Bourne adventure.  The break apparently comes from two factors: Greengrass is upset at Universal because they didn’t consult him on who they hired to write the Bourne 4; likewise, Universal is upset at Greengrass because he’s turned Green Zone, which was supposed to be a small film to keep Greengrass happy in between Bourne flicks, into a $150 million Iraq War movie (which have never been a hit at the box office).

Obviously, after three films together, Matt Damon’s loyalty lies with Greengrass and wouldn’t even consider doing a 4^th Bourne, “at least not without [Greengrass'] blessing and even then, it would have to be a spectacular script.” Of course, the grand irony in this is that it seems like every other week we’re reporting on some new movie going into development that’s supposed to be Bourne­-like yet the actual Bourne franchise will miss its intended Fall 2010 start date unless somehow everyone kisses and makes-up (unlikely, but possible) and they manage to get a good script (always possible).  Personally, I think Green Zone already looks like an unofficial fourth Bourne movie and I think Ultimatum was a great finisher to the series.  We’ll keep you updated but whatever Greengrass decides to do next, I’ll be anxious to see it.