Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
Franchises are always a big hit in the film industry because they’re a pretty safe bet for success. Audiences love getting hooked on stories and characters, following them on different adventures. But after a while, it can get old if there’s no good planning. Sometimes, it’s really about knowing when to wrap things up.
However, it can be tough when fans don’t want to let go. Bourne is a perfect example of this. To bring the story back, though, the cast has to be on board. But in this case, the director and lead actor weren’t all that excited, so it took some nudging and persistence from others. Even so, in the end, it was really the fans who made it happen.
Why Did TheBourneFranchise End in 2012?
Jason Bourne became a pop culture icon after four movies about his life as an amnesiac assassin hit the screen. The success was so significant that a television spin-off titledTreadstonewas also produced. But afterThe Bourne Legacyin 2012, it seemed like there was no way to keep the story going.
That idea might seem quite reasonable, after all, nothing lasts forever. However, the problem was that it came from directorPaul Greengrass, who didn’t want to continue and felt it was time to stop. Because of that,Matt Damon, the star, also stepped away fromJason Bourneout of loyalty to the director. (viaThe New York Times)
What happened over time was that the plot started to lose its edge and became stale. Something similar almost happened with the first film,The Bourne Identity, back in 2002. There was some doubt about whether it would feel fresh to audiences at the time. In the end, it was clear that the story tapped into elements that really resonated with what was going on in the 2000s.
“Let’s bring him back”: Matt Damon Revealed Why He’s Returning as Jason Bourne and Jeremy Renner ‘Ruining’ the Franchise Wasn’t the Reason Behind That
The franchise got off to a decent start compared to other hit films of the time, so they brought in Greengrass to direct. As a result, the sequels outperformed the original and even won Oscars for Best Editing, Sound Mixing, and Sound Editing.
That’s when he started feeling burned out because the whole project was just too exhausting. When he made this clear, Universal Pictures had to step in since there was a contractual deadline approaching. Greengrass tried to push through, but it was tough to come up with an exciting idea to keep the story going.
The studio’s plan B was to introduce a new character, Aaron Cross, played byJeremy Renner. After that, it seemed like the franchise was going to wrap up. But Universal Studios had bigger ambitions.
How DidBourneGet Back On Track?
The Bourne Legacywas supposed to be the franchise’s final chapter, until Damon was invited to a lunch where they tried to convince him to give a new movie a shot. Donna Langley, the chairwoman of Universal Pictures, said:
We were always playing the long game with the Bourne franchise.Even though Matt and Paul had been very definitive about not wanting to come back, we weren’t really willing to submit to that.
The actor considered coming back, but only for one simple reason: the desire of the fans and the studio itself. He said:
I thought I was completely at peace with the three movies, and I was so happy with how good they were and what the whole franchise had done for my career and my life. But when I saw their production offices, it hurt me in a way that surprised me.
Greengrass was soon brought on board by the actor, who helped persuade him to give it another try. According to Damon, he didn’t want to ignore the fans’ wishes because he had experienced projects that didn’t connect with audiences as hoped.Bournewas an opportunity that couldn’t be missed.
“I don’t understand that at all”: Matt Damon’s Explosive Rant Against Jason Bourne Writer Came Back to Bite Him After Tony Gilroy Killed Him With Kindness
After a lot of consideration, the director decided to give it a shot. Along with his creative partner, Christopher Rouse, Greengrass managed to reinvent the plot in a way he hadn’t before. The new script not only incorporated real events but also tackled contemporary issues like technology.
Jason Bournewas released in 2016, four years after the hiatus, and nine years after Damon first brought the character to life. The film earned about$415 millionworldwide. Now, Greengrass is openly expressing his desire for the franchise to continue, showing a deep affection for it.
AllBournefilms are available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
Catherine Delgado
Articles Published :141
A geek enthusiast of fantasy and sci-fi, Catherine is also a screenwriter, completely obsessed with pop culture. Graduated in Audiovisual Production, she creates characters and writes about fictional universes when not writing articles, binge-watching shows, or reading sagas.
