'Ultimatum' Scribe Returns for 'Bourne 4'
Filed under: Action, Thrillers, Deals, Universal, Scripts
There aren't many movie franchises that have managed to keep their fans happy as time goes on, with maybe the exception being those Bourne movies. I always thought one of the stand-out traits of the spy franchise was just how darn good all three films are. So it's no surprise that Universal wasted zero time in chucking the latest installment of the franchise into production. Variety now reports that Universal has hired George Nolfi, one of the co-writers of the third installment, to pen the latest addition to the super-spy flicks.Confirmation of a fourth film appeared last spring, but both Greengrass and Damon were a little cagey on details -- plus the two had already started work on their Iraq drama, Green Zone. According to Variety, Universal is going full steam ahead with the project, and are considering it their "top priority" for the coming year. Nolfi only has a few credits under his belt, and sure, he did help write Ultimatum, but the bad news is that he was also behind the laughably awful Timeline and Ocean's 12, (arguably the weakest of the 'paper thin' trilogy).
Bourne 4 will be the first film that will not take its title from one of Robert Ludlum's novels, so I can only guess that Universal wasn't interested in using any of the newer titles or storylines. Bourne 4 is expected to arrive in theaters in 2010. What sort of adventure would you like to see Bourne take on this time around?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-17-2008 @ 2:27PM
chuck said...
have you read any of the books? stating anything about 'originate' shows otherwise. the first movie was like 10% based on the premise of an insomniac killer. second and third installments had no connection to the books whatsoever.
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10-17-2008 @ 2:32PM
sam said...
I have to agree with chuck - considering how tenuous the movies' relationship to the books was in the first place, there's no reason to pretend that they're somehow now messing with Ludlum's legacy by continuing the series.
Granted though, unless they did the first film as a period piece, it had to be changed, since the book was completely steeped in cold war-ness which just didn't exist anymore by the time the films came out.
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10-17-2008 @ 2:35PM
Erik Davis said...
Yes, we changed the post -- I think what Jessica meant was that this will be the first not to use a Ludlum title. But, yes, the story has gone off on its own course.
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10-17-2008 @ 3:02PM
Clark Parker said...
On the same note as these previous posts, I'd put forward the suggestion that they go back and pick up some of the pieces from the original three books. Pick and choose some great characters and moments that never made it into the films and make an amalgamation of it all, bringing a fresh new story that still draws from the Bourne Legacy. The actual legacy, not the title of that 4th book. Though it's as good as any.
I think this could work wonders. As was mentioned, they have strayed far enough of the path that taking these bits and pieces and mixing them up into a new plotline isn't going to hurt them and really only serves to maintain the feel of Jason's universe.
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10-17-2008 @ 5:01PM
VP said...
First a disclaimer: I absolutely love the Bourne trilogy. In my opinion this series was the best ever and they put a nice little bow on it in ultimatum. While i would be first in line to see Bourne 4, i don't know if they should mess with what they had. This is probably the only series where the quality of the product didn't drop off. Since Damon and Greengrass are involved, they will take good care of it.
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10-17-2008 @ 6:02PM
Martin said...
I agree with VP.
Ultimatum ended just about perfectly, a nice example of 'coming full circle'. I'm not sure they'll be able to insert another chapter into the existing narrative and I am concerned that instead we'll end up with something like an add-on; a new story kinda glued to the old arc.
I hope I'm mistaken, and if there are two people who can prove me wrong it's Matt Damon and Paul Greengrass.
Any word on a title?
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10-17-2008 @ 10:59PM
Melissa Lehnhausen said...
I think its kind of gay that they arent going with using the book title for the fourth movie. Theyve used it for the other three and then to make the fourth one just calling it Bourne 4 is kind of lame. Doesnt make it as exciting as the others. Even if they dont exactly follow whats going on in the books, its still the series of the books, correct me if Im wrong.
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10-18-2008 @ 7:55AM
Doug said...
Melissa, to borrow from GLSEN.org:
There was a time when all "gay" meant was "happy." Then it meant "homosexual." Now people are saying "That's so gay" to mean dumb and stupid. Which is pretty insulting to gay people (and we don't mean the "happy" people.) So knock it off. Go to www.thinkb4youspeak.com
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12-03-2008 @ 6:47PM
Kyle said...
oh quit your damn whining Doug. Its people like you that give the gay community a bad name. I'd say be a man, but its obvious that you are far from it.
12-08-2008 @ 4:35PM
bill said...
Doug,
think before you talk, maybe no one cares about offending any fagots or anybody else by using the word GAY, or perhaps, rather I'm offended by having to have or use some sort of special consideration for those that choose to want to be different. why should anybody have to go out of their way not to offend a group or an individual on the bassist that they choose to be abnormal???? perhaps you can explain.
10-20-2008 @ 5:00AM
Robert Wood said...
i think that they should use something jeffery deavers sleeping doll book thought it was as good as the bourne trillogy books but with a bit more suspense
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12-13-2008 @ 3:55AM
jcob said...
i can't wait to see the bourne 4 with the title 'THE BOURNE REBORN.
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12-27-2008 @ 3:07AM
Andrew said...
Doug, this a place for comments about the Bourne movies, not a place to express when your feelings are hurt. So go watch a fag movie and leave the movies for men alone.
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1-01-2009 @ 5:50PM
Scarlett said...
There is allways some whiner who gets their feeling hurt! Honestly Doug you give homosexuals a bad rep. Suck it up, I know some friends who are gay and don't give a shit about the slogan and they enough balls too let it slide. So its just you who are overly sensitive...
As for the bourne movies..I think they should let Damon Co- write the script..hes up for the task and knows enough about the character development etc. I think hes gotten bored of the film and cowriting the script would allow him to do more with characters and he could talk with the author of Bourne and get some insights on plot ideas. Any rebuttles, agreements, disagreements?
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1-03-2009 @ 8:16PM
taffguy said...
I dont care just make the damn thing asap!!!
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1-12-2009 @ 2:35PM
Jake Lee said...
Wicked, id love to see it happen, amazing ending on the third, they will have to pull of an amazing start to bourne 4!
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