Confusion was inevitable. Naming The Bourne Legacy after the Robert Ludlum novel of the same name was destined to provoke assumptions of some relation between the two.
While it was reported last week that Tony Gilroy – writer of the first Bourne trilogy who was back behind the keyboard for Bourne 4 – had signed to direct the fourth film in the series (via Deadline), it appears that there was more to the story than first thought.
Gilroy, in an interview with Jeffrey Wells, had two ambiguities to clarify.
Rather than being an adaptation of Ludlum’s novel, The Bourne Legacy “will not use the [book’s] story, it’s a completely original screenplay.” Furthermore, the man behind Michael Clayton and Duplicity was eager to reassure fans that:
“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.”
On the topic of Matt Damon’s return to the character of Bourne, the director decided to beat around the bush a little.
“The easiest way to think of it is an expansion or a reveal. 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].”
In other words, while Matt Damon doesn’t have a role in the screenplay as it stands now, all that is preventing his appearance in Legacy – or further installments down the line – is his loyalty to Paul Greengrass. Should Damon receive Greengrass’ blessing – or change his mind for any other reason – there is nothing preventing the iconic character’s return.
The tentative title, then, is more literal than first thought. This is not The Bourne Legacy: The Movie, but a chronicle or Bourne’s Legacy – the consequences of his actions, of which there will likely be many.
“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.”
So, no flash-sideways then. Pinky promise?
