Greengrass Bounces Out of Directing 'Bourne 4'
Does it matter? Will Damon follow?
The Playlist is reporting Paul Greengrass has bailed on directing a fourth Jason Bourne film.
The reasons given include the August revelation that Josh Zetumer was brought on by Universal to write what sounded like a completely new draft of the script following the one turned in by George Nolfi (The Bourne Ultimatum). Greengrass is said to have not been included in the decision.
Next is an apparent spat between director and studio regarding the ballooning cost of Greengrass's upcoming war film Green Zone which has bounced all over the release schedule and is now slated for a March 12, 201o release. Word is Greengrass has been reshooting and editing the picture and the price tag has continued to go up in the process.
Considering this is another war film set in the Middle East I can certainly understand the studio's concern. As The Playlist points out, Green Zone star Matt Damon revealed to Empire, "[Green Zone is] great, I've seen it. They're finishing some of the effects, and it'll be ready for March. We got a $100m Iraq movie, so we'll see! I do have high hopes for it, though. I think it's really good. I know the Iraq movies haven't been particularly popular so far, but hopefully this will find an audience. It's a thriller, really, set against the canvas of Iraq in 2003." Hmmmm, a $100 million Iraq movie is not likely to excite many studio heads.
The report goes on to mention Damon's loyalty to Greengrass, which puts the possibility of a Bourne 4 in serious jeopardy. You can get even further details by reading here.
I personally don't see Greengrass leaving as a bad thing. I think we have gotten more than our fair share of his take on the Bourne franchise with The Bourne Supremacy and Ultimatum, and some new blood wouldn't hurt. However, if Damon isn't coming back let's just wrap it all up and go home. The trilogy works as is and there is really no need for another one. Do you agree?
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Right. To Damon, Greengrass and, most importantly, the guys from Universal: you've made a perfect trilogy. Now leave it alone at let it be enjoyed by people for decades to come, instead of screwing it up with an unnecessary fourth part. You should always know when to stop.
Honestly, they should just not do it. The trilogy wrapped itself up perfectly. Totally satisfying. And besides, Greengrass is too good to be wasting half his career on Bourne. Well, not wasting, but… you know what I mean.
Without Greengrass, I'd rather not see another Bourne film. Without Damon, I'd DEFINITELY rather not see another Bourne film. In fact, without Damon, the 4th movie is dead in the water. And that's okay with me. The first three films are one of the best trilogies out there, notably because they keep getting better and better. There are quite a few sequels that are better than their predecessor, but good 3rd entries are rare.
"green zone" trailer looks alike Bourne 4 for me so…
Considering Matt Damon was talking up the last one as being the final movie of the franchise (joking that he and Greengrass figured a further sequel would have to be called "The Bourne Redundancy"), I'm betting this proposed 4th flick falls apart now. Damon already didn't want to make it, it was obviously being done out of the studio's reluctance to leave profit on the table. Without Greengrass it'll feel even more like a cynical cash grab to the star. His career doesn't need this kind of artificial hit at this point… my bet is he moves on as well.
They better not try and get Michael Bay to take the helm.
^^^^^
I think you just gave the the movie studio a very tempting idea!
The producers care about the potential money, they hardly give a damn about the story now (just look at the Twilight Series.) They will make the fourth Borne, and it will not add to the trilogy in a good way but many of us will go and watch it anyway.