That’s right boys and girls. Producers Frank Marshal and Tim Crowley have confirmed to IESB that a fourth Jason Bourne movie is “absolutely” going to happen. It’s been rumored for a while now and most of us figured it would probably end up happening but this is the first confirmation we’ve had from anyone involved in the project that it was definitely going to occur.
Marshal said that they are currently working on the story. Since the first three movies were based on the books written by Robert Ludlum and those were the only ones he wrote, the producers said that they will more than likely chart a course of their own and will not base their film on any of the other books in the series. Wow, that’s a giant middle finger to Eric Van Lustbader, the author of the continuing Bourne stories.
They are currently referring to the film simply as Bourne 4. Marshal told IESB that the film is “absolutely” going to happen and that they expect both director Paul Greengrass and Matt Damon to be back for this installment. Marshal went on to say that he thinks the action of the film with take place in South America. They are hoping to shoot next summer for a release in 2010.
I find it interesting that he would say the film is “absolutely” going to happen even though they haven’t (from what I understand) actually signed either Greengrass or Damon. While I could see the film happening without Greengrass (I’m not saying it should, just that it could), I’m not so certain I could see it being successful without Damon’s involvement.
A lot of people, especially in the industry, have been saying they see the Bourne films as the next James Bond, but I’m not sure that’s entirely accurate. The first three Bourne films all dealt with one big story arch, something we don’t see in the Bond films. If they had replaced Matt Damon during that story arch I think the audiences would have found it difficult to connect with the character. I also think that audiences have connected with Damon in these films as much as they have the Jason Bourne character. It might be possible to replace Damon with another actor, but I think there would have to be a fairly long break between the Damon film and the next one and I think there would have to be a perceptible shift of tone in the films in order to make it work. I still think it would be difficult.
As I feel all three of the Jason Bourne films were quite good I don’t have a problem with them wanting to make another one. I do think it’s important that Greengrass and Damon come back, however. If the producers can’t get the star and the director back for a fourth film, I say shut it down and wait a few more years before trying to revive the franchise with another actor.
Interesting… Only make it if its as good as the others… would be nice to see Jason again, assuming he's all healed from the (cough rigged cough) beating McClaine gave him….
Well - if they wanted to have another actor take Matt's place, they could always wait about 2 years, re-image the trilogy, and spin it more in a James Bond sort of fashion…
I, for one, am jazzed about this. I loved the Trilogy and think it is perhaps one of the best action trilogies around. I can't for this fourth installment and I hope that both Greengrass and Damon sign on for it (although Damon will have to drop some weight and start working out again).
I love the first two (they were awesome) but the third one (story wise) was boring. The action was great but everything else just felt stale. I was looking forward to a continuation… not a “in-between” kind of sequel. It will be interesting to see what they come up with for the 4th since their not basing it off anything.
I am a big fan of the trilogy and I guess I'm kind of afraid that they will ruin it, since it doesn't sound like they have much of a plan. The first three had a storyline to hold them together. It would be lame to just tack another on in the same line.
I don't see how the middle finger to Lustbader is any worse than the one given to Ludlum. The first movie had about a 50% connection to the novel; the following movies didn't take anything beyond the title.
Good point.