Let's be honest: The Bourne Ultimatum fucking rocked. So when it was announced a little earlier this year that Matt Damon and Paul Greengrass would reunite for a brand new Bourne movie in 2011, we were more than a little excited. In fact, we were well and truly stoked...
Sadly, amid allegations of studio entanglements, it looks like Greengrass has had a change of heart and left the project, releasing the following statement:
“You won't find a more devoted supporter of the Bourne franchise than me. I will always be grateful to have been the caretaker to Jason Bourne over the course of 'The Bourne Supremacy' and 'The Bourne Ultimatum.' I'm very proud of those films and feel they express everything I most passionately believe about the possibility of making quality movies in the mainstream. My decision to not return a third time as director is simply about feeling the call for a different challenge. There's been no disagreement with Universal Pictures. The opportunity to work with the Bourne family again is a difficult thing to pass up, but we have discussed this together, and they have been incredibly understanding and supportive. I've been lucky enough to have made four films for Universal, and our relationship continues. Jason Bourne existed before me and will continue, and I hope to remain involved in some capacity as the series moves on.”
Where this leaves the film is anyone's guess. According to this piece in Entertainment Weekly, Damon is apparently very loyal to the United 93 director but having said that, it wouldn't be the first time Greengrass has bailed on a valued property only for it to be resurrected by another director, after walking away from Watchmen in the middle of pre-production in 2005.
However, if Damon DID want to continue without Greengrass, we reckon these chaps are more than up to the task...
KATHRYN BIGELOW
One of the most exciting action directors on the planet, Bigelow cut her teeth with classy vampire thriller Near Dark and tough-as-nails cop movie Blue Steel, before taking on Keanu Reeves and a bleach-blond Patrick Swayze in iconic surf/robbery manfest Point Break. Apocalyptic, end-of-the-world sci-fi followed with 1994's stylish Strange Days, while this year's Iraq drama The Hurt Locker sealed Bigelow's rep for smart, testosterone-fuelled action and is generating serious awards buzzola. True, Bigelow doesn't make a lot of films, but when she does they're almost always incredible...
THE CASE AGAINST...A Bigelow Bourne would no doubt be brilliant. A Bigelow Bond would be better. Surely it's time to let Hollywood's top action-lady have a crack at Fleming's chauvinist secret agent? This HAS to happen... But if didn't, then Bourne would an amazing back-up...
STEVEN SODERBERGH
Since arriving on the scene in 1989 with controversial Palme D'Or winner Sex, Lies & Videotape, Soderbergh has spent the last 20 years carving out a reputation as one of Hollywood's most individual talents, continually treading a fine line between oblique weirdness (Schizopolis, The Limey) and more conventional awards-friendly fare (Traffic, Erin Brockovich.) However, 1998's Elmore Leonard adaptation Out of Sight was a grown-up mainstream hit while the "Ocean" movies proved that Soderbergh could adapt his style and deliver commercial entertainments to big audiences. He's also got a relationship with Bourne writer Tony Gilroy - Soderbergh was a producer on Gilroy's Oscar-winning tale of corporate intrigue, Michael Clayton..
THE CASE AGAINST...In the wake of such provocative recent films as Che Pts 1 & 2 and The Girlfriend Experience, there's probably not much of a challenge here for Soderbergh - his forthcoming slate sees him taking on subjects as diverse as Liberace & Cleopatra, so perhaps Bourne would be too much of a step backwards for this uncompromising auteur...
DOUG LIMAN
The former cinematographer kick-started the franchise with 2002's The Bourne Identity before handing over the reigns to Greengrass. An adrenaline-fuelled contemporary thriller, "Identity" not only convinced the world that Matt Damon could play a hard-ass super-spy, it established Liman's action credentials following solid work on smart indie comedy-drama like Swingers and Go. The movie was a surprise smash, and even paved the way for Casino Royale's Bond reboot. Sadly, Liman's never really come close to emulating its success - both 2005's Brangelina hook-up Mr & Mrs Smith and 2008's limp Hayden Christenson vehicle Jumper were critical disappointments, despite reasonable box-office.
THE CASE AGAINST...The first Bourne movie is widely regarded as the weakest of the trilogy, but frankly that's not saying much...a return to the franchise would the be ideal way for Liman to regain his position as king of big, glossy action drama...
What do you reckon?
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