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EXCLUSIVE: This signals that the picture — tentatively titled The Bourne Legacy – is on a clear forward track. Though it doesn’t answer the question of whether Matt Damon will return to reprise his signature character of the amnesiac assassin Jason Bourne. I’m told that Universal plans to make the film even if it has to replace Damon, who’d be crazy to give up his franchise character and a huge paycheck. So the studio is making a deal with Bourne franchiser scripter Tony Gilroy ( who helmed both Michael Clayton and Duplicity) to direct the 4th installment. Gilroy was hired to write the fourquel back in June. The picture will be produced by Frank Marshall, along with Jeffrey Weiner and Ben Smith of Captivate Entertainment. Bourne had originally been earmarked for 2012, but right now a clear timetable hasn’t been locked in. The picture is a giant priority for Universal, and Donna Langley and Peter Cramer have been working hard to make it happen.
So what about Matt? Damon last indicated that he wouldn’t come back unless director Paul Greengrass helmed. Greengrass made the 2nd and 3rd installments, while Doug Liman directed the first. Greengrass exited the Bourne 4 in a huff when the studio began developing it while he and Damon were making Green Zone for the studio. Gilroy has scripted the first three pictures by deconstructing a dense Robert Ludlum spy thriller down to its essence of a man who can’t remember his past. Even though some think Gilroy misfired with Duplicity starring Julia Roberts and Clive Owen, his Michael Clayton was superb. Gilroy’s repped by CAA.
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I’ve seen Duplicity, it wasn’t very good.
Ben Affleck should direct this.
Gilroy did direct Michael Clayton too. Probably a moot point by the time this comment is approved. Duplicity was número 2.
Can I say that he was robbed blind for the best screenplay Oscar by Diablo Cody. Cone on, Juno over Michael Clayton? Diablo is a trainwreck of studio invention. I’m shocked she still gets gigs.
Yes, you certainly can say that. Michael Clayton was one of the best scripts of the decade. Juno was a cute movie, but the script was painfully self-conscious garbage. Cody is a PR invention.
Congratulations, Tony Gilroy.
“Michael Clayton” was very good, but that has nothing to do with “Juno,” which was also very good. Diablo Cody is a tremendous writer. Do your homework. Not only is “Juno” a great read, so is her memoir, “Candy Girl.” She can write circles around most screenwriters. She might not get the accolades that guys like Gilroy get because her taste runs toward teen stuff (teen comedies and series, horror) but that doesn’t mean she’s not worth the Oscar she got. She won it, she earned it and “Michael Clayton” was very good. They’re all true.
Damon will be back. He’d be a fool not to. Especially after the last few flops he’s had, which Hereafter will follow suit. Luckily he’s in True Grit, but he’s not carrying that one. I for one can’t wait for Bourne 4!
Totally agree………actors should never take their wave of stardom for granted. It can disappear very quickly. If they are lucky enough to be in a huge winner, they certainly should stick with it!
No more shakey-cam? Oh thank God… I might actually be able to watch this one in theaters without using my popcorn tub as a barf bag.
Hilarious! I second that. We get it, you LOVE to shoot WAY to close and shake the camera WAY to much! The beauty with the first one was you actually got to see the fights and everything else thats going on…
Damon should walk away from this if the script isn’t outstanding.
This can’t be possible! To the guy who directed Duplicity??? When has he ever managed action scenes of the intense and intelligent complexity expected from Bourne??
Matt would be crazy to come back for this, so it sucks. No Damon, no Bourne.
Tony Gilroy is one of the reasons the Bourne series is as good as it is.
Gilroy’s directing debut was Michael Clayton.
Bourne without Damon is like Corn Flakes without the milk….
Gilroy misfired with his “sophomore effort”, Duplicity.
He made an amazing debut with Michael Clayton.
I’d prefer Greengrass/Damon, but I’m confident Gilroy can still make a decent film out of this franchise.
Tony Gilroy actually scored big in his directorial debut, which was Michael Clayton, not Duplicity. He was nominated for the Oscar for Michael Clayton.
Can’t wait to see a fourth Bourne movie though.
Good luck to all involved. Good for Gilroy for doing a new script. Greengrass’ style is needed — but maybe a good editor could layer that over Gilroy’s direction (OK, make that a frikkin *excellent* editor, who might also want to be on set with the DP!). Matt Damon *is* Bourne and should do this. It won’t work otherwise.
“Greengrass’ style?” Come on. Paul Greengrass’ job was to follow the style established by Doug Liman’s “THE BOURNE IDENTITY.” Look at that amazing first movie and tell me all about “Greengrass’ style.”
Matt Damon needs this franchise more than the franchise needs him. Otherwise, tell Chris Pine to start working out.
Um… Mike, Tony Gilroy also directed the superb “Michael Clayton” which was in fact his directorial debut! If the script’s tight enough, Matt Damon should do this again. Why not even attempt a whole new trilogy with a fresh slant, then shoot the 5th and 6th installments back to back Matrix style?
He did a fine job directing “Michael Clayton”
Sure Gilroy can write, but what did Uni see in Duplicity that made them even consider him to direct their biggest franchise? Surely they could’ve got Greengrass back with overtures akin to the United 93 bribe.
I hope they make it without Matt Damon so that moviegoers can stay away in droves. Instead of beating a franchise into the ground, let’s do us all a favor and be on the lookout for a NEW franchise. Make a couple of $50 million bets during the year, you’re likely to reap the benefits of a new franchise that you never knew you had.
Tony Gilroy’s directorial debut was “Michael Clayton”–a great film, in my opinion.
I think you’re being very unfair to Frank Marshall who produced all three pictures. Gilroy may have (co)written the scripts, but Marshall has a track record that is without parallel. 53 pictures, 6 of which have been nominated for Best Picture and together his films have taken $4.3billion domestic.
Actually his directorial debut was a little movie called Michael Clayton. It was only nominated for 7 Oscars including Best Director & Best Picture. I think that would qualify him for this gig.
Ps. Duplicity was actually pretty enjoyable as well.
Gilroy’s directorial debut was Michael Clayton, which was pretty good. The sophomore slump was Duplicity, which pretty much sucked. It still seems strange that they wouldn’t press for Greengrass a little more though. His Bourne sequels were much more successful than the first film and were better. And they had to rewrite Gilroy so much for the initial trilogy that it seems stranger they’d go to him as a writer/director. Since Greengrass said no, they honestly should have given Doug Liman another chance.
Actually, Gilroy’s directorial debut was ‘Michael Clayton,’ which was an excellent movie. Looking forward to this a lot, though I hope Damon comes back.
You wrote: “Even though some think Gilroy misfired in his directorial debut Duplicity,” but in fact his directorial debut was on the great MICHAEL CLAYTON, which was masterfully directed and just as masterfully written. Also, and this is just one editor’s opinion, his directorial work in DUPLICITY was excellent; it’s the script for DUPLICITY that may have been a bit too complex for some viewers. But Gilroy excels with complex narratives, as the three great BOURNE scripts attest.
I agree about Duplicity. I think it’s really good actually, but possibly too complex for some viewers. Is it perfect? No. But despite the presence of Julia Roberts (who thankfully smiles very little in the film), the film is pretty damn good. Some people just can’t understand subtlety or follow complexities.
gilory’s first directorial effort was Michael Clayton.
This is a tough one. Gilroy has brought a lot to the table thus far with his writing. Knows the story/characters better than anybody. However, Greengrass did a great job with Part 2 and 3 (Part 1 rocked as well). It’s a great franchise and all involved deserve a giant pat on the back. Particularly whoever picked Damon since a great pick.
Tough one and good luck solving. Wouldn’t be the same without Damon unless to the “later years” with Tom Arnold or something.
BTW – Greengrass- How did you get the handwritten notes, stickers and graffiti at the entrance of the green zone right? Nice attention to details.
Actually “Michael Clayton” was Gilroy’s directorial debut with “Duplicity” as his sophomore effort. And considering he received an Oscar nomination for directing Clayton, I’d have full confidence in his ability to handle the 4th Bourne.
They should have brought back Doug Liman to direct The Bourne Legacy.