Matt Damon will not return for The Bourne Legacy
The site spoke with Tony Gilroy about the movie, who wanted to clarify some details in the original story. Here's what he had to say:
"The Bourne Legacy, for openers, has simply taking the title from Robert Ludlum's book "but will not use the story," Gilroy says. "It's a completely original screenplay." Secondly, "This is not a reboot or a recast or a prequel. No one's replacing Matt Damon. There will be a whole new hero, a whole new chapter...this is a stand-alone project.
"The easiest way to think of it is an expansion or a reveal," Gilroy says. "Jason Bourne will not be in this film, but he's very much alive. What happened in the first three films is the trigger for what happens. I'm building a legend and an environment and a wider conspiracy...the world we're making enhances and advances and invites Jason Bourne's return [down the road].
"Everything you saw in the first three films actually happened, and everyone who got into will be rewarded for paying attention. We're going to show you the bigger picture, the bigger canvas. When you see what we're going and see what we're doing it'll be pretty obvious....but Jason Bourne's actvities in the first three films is the immediate trigger."
"The easiest way to think of it is an expansion or a reveal," Gilroy says. "Jason Bourne will not be in this film, but he's very much alive. What happened in the first three films is the trigger for what happens. I'm building a legend and an environment and a wider conspiracy...the world we're making enhances and advances and invites Jason Bourne's return [down the road].
"Everything you saw in the first three films actually happened, and everyone who got into will be rewarded for paying attention. We're going to show you the bigger picture, the bigger canvas. When you see what we're going and see what we're doing it'll be pretty obvious....but Jason Bourne's actvities in the first three films is the immediate trigger."
We'll be sure to keep you posted with any further details on The Bourne Legacy as soon as we have more information.
The Bourne Legacy comes to theaters August 3rd, 2012 and stars Rachel Weisz, Jeremy Renner, Joan Allen, Albert Finney, Oscar Isaac, Edward Norton, Stacy Keach, Scott Glenn. The film is directed by Tony Gilroy.
Comments (74)
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Remy72883
I'll pass no Damon no money from me its that simple, he is Jason Bourne,
2 years agoby @remy72883Flag
ParkWilliams
@Rufio: My thoughts exactly.
2 years agoby @azadorFlag
Dan
Connery :D
2 years agoby @dan1Flag
The Narrator: The Better Man
Definitely Connery folks.
2 years agoby @narratorFlag
Cyn
I'd go with George Lazenby as Bond.
JOKING. Connery all the way.
@The Narrator. Thanks!
2 years agoby @cyn-de-harvenFlag
The Narrator: The Better Man
@Cyn, you had no reason to defend yourself. I said some of us read the article, so if you felt like you read and understood the main jist of things no need to defend yourself. Also, I already stated they should change the name. Ergo, your comment poses no real argument, at least not pertaining to me.
P.S. Welcome back.
2 years agoby @narratorFlag
ejk1
Connery. Nuff said.
2 years agoby @ejk1Flag
Emmytt
@themime i liked Roger Moore Better as Bond
2 years agoby @emmyttFlag
TheMime
Matt Damon is Bourne, Jason Bourne.... Like Sean Connery is Bond, James Bond.... right? ....right?.... RIGHT?!!!!....
2 years agoby @themimeFlag
Frenzy2001
I'm not gonna lie, this news makes me want to see the movie less. It's one thing if an actor is incapable of doing the part (health reasons, signed on another project first, ect...), but from what I gather it's just the studio making a money issue of it.
2 years agoby @frenzy2001Flag
Emmytt
*laughs*
2 years agoby @emmyttFlag
ejk1
I'll keep an open mind, but I don't know if I will be seeing this in theaters, or waiting for DVD/Blue Ray.
2 years agoby @ejk1Flag
Cyn
@The Narrator - The fact is they're not making a Bourne movie, and it pisses me off that that's the name they're using to sell it. If it's a completely original screenplay, then it's not by Ludlum or the guy who picked up the mantle. If it's an "original" movie, they need to treat it as such. Using the title is just a cheat's way to get people in, thinking they'll be seeing a Bourne movie.
Please don't assume that "barely anyone" reads the articles. Some of us read them before we even visit MW. We are all rabid film & movie fans who don't just rely on headlines.
2 years agoby @cyn-de-harvenFlag
The Narrator: The Better Man
I love how barely ANYONE read the article. Matt Damon is not being replaced! His character will just not be in the film, but his past actions will trigger it. Out of all the pathetic spin offs that could possibly have happened, this is actually a near best case scenario. Read the article folks, not just the headlines.
2 years agoby @narratorFlag
The Narrator: The Better Man
I am a huge Bourne fan, and I think we all know that the films very loosely followed the books. That said, they are my favorite action movies of... ever. So I am really bummed about this. However they seem to be doing something smart for a change.
1. They are giving us a fresh lead, while keeping ties with the previous characters and events. After all, we never really saw the full outcomes and ripple effect of the previous movies, and this lets us expand on that, as he said.
2. Gilroy is a talented writer and director (Michael Clayton). I honestly think this is going to be really good.
3. It's a tease. They set things up for a Bourne return, which gives Damon and Greengrass time to do other projects, and come back to the franchise in glory.
Overall, I am actually for this. The title should change, but other than that, bring it!
2 years agoby @narratorFlag
Worth5Bucks
There shouldnt be another bourne film. Thumbs up to matt damon for not doing it.
2 years agoby @mattbierwagenFlag
Diaigma
Shoot . . . that's an easy 10 bucks lost from my pocket :P
2 years agoby @diaigmaFlag
Cyn
As long as they don't hire Andrew Garfield.
2 years agoby @cyn-de-harvenFlag
Summit10
don't fix what aint broke!!! Don't mess up the franchise...
2 years agoby @summit10Flag
Cyn
ten bucks he doesn't do it as well as me, D...heeheeee
@ejk1 - thanks, dude.
2 years agoby @cyn-de-harvenFlag
ejk1
Welcome back Cyn. That Rhys Ifans story you've been looking for is now up.
2 years agoby @ejk1Flag
Dan
cough *MonkeyIron* cough
2 years agoby @dan1Flag
Diaigma
Good thing you didn't, @Cyn - someone else does the "I'M BACK!" thing already :P
2 years agoby @diaigmaFlag
Cyn
Now where's that Rhys Ifans story I came here for...?
2 years agoby @cyn-de-harvenFlag
Cyn
@TheREALsupes - I was going to rewrite my post to say "I'm back", but then I figured that would be pretty obvious lol.
"It's of no nevermind where I've been - it's where I am now that matters"
2 years agoby @cyn-de-harvenFlag
Diaigma
Cyn's back! YAY! :P
2 years agoby @diaigmaFlag
Dan
@Cyn Yes, exactly. And where the heck have you been?
2 years agoby @dan1Flag
Cyn
@artkid4. Um, that doesn't mean that every secret agent they have gets to use the name "Jason Bourne". It's not a rugby jersey.
2 years agoby @cyn-de-harvenFlag
Cyn
how the f*ck can you have a BOURNE movie without BOURNE?!?!?!!
Motherf*8@#ers...
2 years agoby @cyn-de-harvenFlag
Dan
I'd like to see the thumbs down count, Movieweb.
2 years agoby @dan1Flag