The Bourne franchise could be getting its groove back. Last month, Universal Pictures confirmed that it was moving forward with another film in the Bourne series, as the studio hired Sherlock Holmes and Invictus screenwriter Anthony Peckham to pen the script for another Bourne movie. It was believed that the script was intended to further the adventures of Jeremy Renner’s Aaron Cross character from The Bourne Legacy, as original star Matt Damon has been reluctant to return without The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum director Paul Greengrass. Well, it’s possible that something may have been worked out, as a new report claims that both Damon and Greengrass are now in talks to return to the franchise. Hit the jump for more.
[Update: Sources from Universal are now telling Variety that there is "no truth" to the rumor that Damon and Greengrass are in negotiations to return. Not exactly an official denial, so something could very well be up.]
Twitch is reporting that Universal is currently in negotiations with Damon and Greengrass to both return to the Bourne franchise, which would be a really significant development for the series. Universal attempted to get Damon and Greengrass back after The Bourne Ultimatum, but the two couldn’t figure out a worthwhile story and Universal didn’t want to wait, so the studio moved forward with the subpar The Bourne Legacy. Damon has repeatedly said that he will only return for another Bourne film if Greengrass is directing, but that prospect seemed unlikely as Greengrass had a pretty heated falling out with Universal. If the two are indeed both in negotiations with the studio, this could signal a return to form for Bourne.
Nothing has been confirmed by the studio just yet and it’s possible that negotiations with Damon and/or Greengrass could fall apart, but I’m definitely excited by the prospect of the two returning for another go-around. Greengrass has a pretty full plate at the moment, and he recently entered talks to direct the Aaron Sorkin-scripted political drama The Trial of the Chicago 7 as his next film. He’s also got his MLK film Memphis in the works, so it’s unclear where another Bourne movie would fit into his schedule. His most recent directorial effort, Captain Phillips, opens in theaters on October 11th.
Hopefully we hear more firm word regarding the next Bourne film soon, but for now I’m crossing my fingers that Damon and Greengrass come back. What about you, readers? Would you rather see the further adventures of Aaron Cross or a new Jason Bourne story?
