What evil government plot did Jason Bourne suddenly remember this time? Deadline reports that Universal Pictures is in early development of a new Jason Bourne movie, with All Quiet on the Western Front director Edward Berger in negotiations to helm the project.
As development on the new Jason Bourne movie is still in its infancy, there’s no script at this time and no other talent attached beyond Edward Berger. As for Matt Damon, who starred as Bourne in four of the five movies, he will be approached once a script is in place, but there’s no guarantee he would consider returning to the action franchise.
The last movie in the series, Jason Bourne, was a box-office success upon its release in 2016, grossing $412 million worldwide, but it received lackluster reviews from audiences and critics. Matt Damon acknowledged the collective ‘meh’ from audiences, but wasn’t about to rule out another sequel. “This last one didn’t do as well as the one we did 10 years ago, so maybe people are done with the character,” Damon said. “I think everybody is leaving the door open, as we did at the end of this movie, in hopes that we can come up with an intriguing story for the next one.“
Should Paramount move forward if Matt Damon doesn’t return for this new Jason Bourne movie? Part of me wonders if a new story with a new actor is a more effective way to go, but we saw how well that worked with The Bourne Legacy.
With the exception of The Bourne Identity and The Bourne Legacy, the bulk of the Jason Bourne movies have been directed by Paul Greengrass, but the director has implied that he was done with the franchise. “It hasn’t come up recently, so I actually don’t know what their plans are,” Greengrass said in 2020. “I’m sure they’ll make more ‘Bourne’ movies, I hope so. I don’t know whether I’ll be involved, but I’ve done my stint really, haven’t I? Let’s be honest. But I love a ‘Bourne’ movie, and I love the actor, and I wish them well, you know. The truth of it. I’d be first in line, that’s for sure.“
Are you down for a new Jason Bourne movie, or should they let the franchise die?