The Bourne spin-off continues to build momentum with series stars Joan Allen and Albert Finney set to reprise their roles in the spin-off flick. Allen appeared in both sequels to ‘The Bourne Identity’ as a CIA agent attempting to capture Matt Damon’s character Jason Bourne, while Finney played the doctor employed by the government program in ‘Ultimatum’ who Damon met in the final moments of the heart stopping third flick.
The Bourne Legacy sees Jeremy Renner taking over the franchise playing another government assassin who undoubtedly goes on his own mission to uncover the truth or has a crisis of conciousness. While Renner is an exciting actor to watch on screen and will bring an immeasurable sense of class to the new flick, the fact remains that this is all going ahead because original director Paul Greengrass walked away from the series when he learned that the studios were developing concurrent scripts for a fourth film without his involvement. In a move of solidarity, Damon declared a lack of willingness to return unless Greengrass was involved. However Damon has expressed hope to return to the series at some point when Greengrass changes his mind and director Tony Gilroy has stated that the new story in no way detracts from the original films and serves as story counterpoint that will complement the world of Bourne. Gilroy was the main writer on all three Bourne films so ‘Legacy’ is sure to have plenty of consistency from a narrative point of view, and he proved his worth directing George Clooney in the top notch thriller, Michael Clayton.
Shooting is expected to commence soon with an August 2012 release date looming. Rachel Weisz is on board to play an operative from a similar covert government program that is even more dangerous than the Treadstone brainwashing program, and Ed Norton who missed out on reprising the Hulk character to Mark Ruffalo in ‘The Avengers’ flick, has been in talks to play the film’s bad guy.
With all this A-grade acting talent on board, it’s the clear the studios are sparing no expense to make this film a hit – which if it is, Matt Damon’s days as Jason Bourne are probably over.
The Bourne Legacy opens August 3rd, 2012.
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