Matt Damon Will Not Reprise Role for Fourth 'Bourne' Film
Filed under: Action, Drama, Thrillers, Mystery & Suspense, Universal, Fandom, Newsstand, Remakes and Sequels
This summer's threequel is called The Bourne Ultimatum, but it may as well be known as The Bourne Conclusion. Speaking at a press conference for Ocean's Thirteen in Cannes, Matt Damon told reporters that he is in no way interested in reprising the role of Jason Bourne for a fourth installment. Amidst telling the press that he feels "a bit like a prostitute for putting out two number threes in one year" (to which George Clooney added, "That's better than three number twos"), Damon said (regarding the Bourne franchise): "I'm definitely done with that. I think we've ridden that horse as far as we can. The character lives on in the books and if someone else wanted to play it, I guess they could."
Seeing as we've been provided with nothing but open-ended "maybe we will, maybe we won't" answers from the Spider-Man and Pirates of the Caribbean folks regarding a fourth flick in either one of those franchises, it's refreshing to see Damon put the kibosh on his own involvement going forward, if only so I don't have to write seven different "Damon Says He Might Maybe Possibly Star in Fourth Bourne Film" posts. Thank you Matt for saving me; much appreciated. But even though he won't be back, that will not stop Universal from churning another Bourne flick should Ultimatum do well at the box office. Though it's hard for me to imagine someone else in the Jason Bourne role, this switch-out has been done before; most recently with the Jack Ryan (Alec Baldwin, Harrison Ford, Ben Affleck) character from all those Tom Clancy adaptations. (So much for my Ethan Hunt meets Jason Bourne in The Bourne Impossible idea, huh?) Who would you choose to replace Damon, assuming you'd even be game for another go-round?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-24-2007 @ 5:28PM
Monster said...
Leonardo DiCaprio.
No, just kidding. In all seriousness, Matt Damon is a very difficult character to replace because he's got a unique look and he brings this really cold confidence to Jason Bourne I fear would be lost in another casting.
For a bit of a stretch, Joaquin Phoenix could carry on Damon's legacy, though a bit much of a darker look and a deeper voice, he might drive it to a far serious side the movies don't plan on heading toward.
My other idea is Dermot Mulroney. He's also got a similar look and feel to Joaquin.
What it comes down to though is that this franchise should not continue.
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5-24-2007 @ 5:34PM
Jennifer said...
It would be sad to even see the studio attempt a 4th installment of Bourne, minus Matt Damon. There are some things just better left alone - and that's one of them. I would have no interest in seeing the role played by another actor. It would be like switching out Keifer Sutherland as Jack Bauer on 24 - just not possible.
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5-24-2007 @ 7:37PM
Pac-man said...
Considering the Bourne movies have so far been better spy/action movies than the entirety of the James Bond franchise and far and away better than any of the Mission Impossible movies, I would hope they continue. (Even the last Bond tried to be like Bourne.)
And I would prefer Matt Damon for a few more, though I don't think it's vital that he remain the casting decision and I can understand his perspective.
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5-25-2007 @ 5:17AM
erasmusa said...
i'd say mark wahlberg, though the resemblance to matt damon is just physical.
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5-25-2007 @ 5:49AM
Grizzegrijn said...
I dont think Matt Damon can be replaced by anyone - if he doesnt want to make more, the Bourne serie should be dead imo.
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5-25-2007 @ 3:25PM
Mathew Kunst said...
Shatner
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6-04-2007 @ 7:29PM
Pat said...
how about Christian Slater? Then they could call the next sequel "The Bourne-again Christian"
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7-25-2007 @ 4:13AM
davidwebb said...
ben affleck as jason bourne with kevin smith directing.
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8-09-2007 @ 6:01AM
mvwu said...
With the way that they ended this movie, I can't see them not making another one, The Bourne Legacy. There are just too many loose ends to tie up, what happens with Nicky, because that smile at the end wasn't just a happy he got away smile, that was a he's coming back to me smile, the swimming away, because someone from the agency will still have been loyal to Vossen though not connected to him as to get arrested. Maybe his assistant, who knows. It just seems like a bad way to end the movie, it makes you feel good, but doesn't give off a sense of closure.
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