Universal wants it, series stalwarts Matt Damon and Paul Greengrass have flirted with the idea and now, producer Frank Marshall claims that a Jason Bourne sequel is very much in the cards.
Reflecting on the film’s global box office haul, which stands at a not-so-shabby $415 million, Marshall spoke to Yahoo Movies about the potential future of the spy franchise beyond 2016, before admitting that all involved are taking a short hiatus as they “try to find a story.” When pressed if he’s been in touch with either Damon or Greengrass – or both – about the possibility of a Jason Bourne 2, Marshall revealed:
“I have spoken to them both. Obviously they’re very pleased with how the movie turned out. It’s really about the story, just like on this one, everyone said ‘if you come to us with a good story, we’ll think about it.’ So right now, we’re taking a pause and then we’re going to dive back in and try to find a story. We did leave it wide open at the end of the movie to continue on in Bourne’s world so we’ll see what we can come up with.”
It’s still early, early days then. That being said, long before Damon and Greengrass revived Jason Bourne following a decade-long spell on the sidelines, during which time both creatives were continually quizzed about the dormant action series, the duo swore blind that they would only return for a story worth telling.
Alas, the critical consensus begged to differ, labelling the 2016 actioner as an underwhelming rehash of the franchise’s greatest hits, which could spell another prolonged hiatus for the Bourne series, providing Universal doesn’t force the issue and recast Matt Damon. It’s still too soon to tell, of course, and considering Alicia Vikander and Riz Ahmed are considered vital parts of the Jason Bourne franchise from here on out, who knows what direction the series could take.
One thing is nigh on certain, though, the Bourne Legacy spinoff is all but dead, after Frank Marshall played down any chances of a sequel during his chat with Yahoo: “Probably not. I don’t know. That story is still out there as well but it’s not… we’re not talking about it.”
If there really is to be a future for Jason Bourne – and after pulling in $415 million, we’re inclined to believe there is – surely the best hands to steer the franchise forward are Paul Greengrass and Matt Damon, right? Let us know your thoughts down below.