Matt Damon and Paul Greengrass Possibly Returning for New 'Bourne' Movie

Matt Damon is returning to the franchise that made him a viable blockbuster action star. And director Paul Greengrass is reportedly coming with him.

Yes, Damon and Greengrass have entered into negotiations with Universal Pictures to return for a third film together in The Bourne Identity franchise. Of course, if the deal is finalized, this would be a huge signing: although Damon has continued to appear in action thrillers such as The Adjustment Bureau and Elysium, he's never achieved the same level of box office success he achieved with the Bourne series; Greengrass, meanwhile, said last year that he couldn't see himself returning to the franchise, since he didn't feel there was any place left for the Jason Bourne character to go. This potential signing represents a massive turnaround, and it could be the byproduct of Universal's dogged persistence.

The studio apparently wants Damon and Greengrass on-board in order to jump-start production to make the July 16, 2016, release date that Universal set aside for an untitled Bourne film. Naturally, this means the new Bourne film would come ahead of the latest spinoff sequel that will feature the return of Jeremy Renner and Fast & Furious mastermind Justin Lin. No word on a possible teamup between Renner's Aaron Cross and Damon's Jason Bourne, but now that Universal has both franchise stars, it doesn't seem impossible. And the fact that it's now possible at all is pretty exciting, particularly if you dug Renner in The Bourne Legacy. He was a note-perfect successor to Damon, so the potential to have the two onscreen together should create some interesting opportunities for the franchise.

Via: Deadline

Credit: Universal Pictures