Fans of big-screen espionage are rejoicing this week due to the news that one of the most iconic spy movie series of all time is gearing up for a comeback. NBCUniversal announced that it had reacquired the film and television rights toRobert Ludlum’sJason BourneandTreadstonenovels after an auction, with statements from studio executives emphasizing their intention to reignite and expand the onscreen franchise (which currently consists of five movies and a TV show). Although not stated, this presumably indicates that franchise starMatt Damonwill return for at least one more film as amnesiac spy Jason Bourne. But as exciting as that is, most viewers will likely agree thatthe franchise’s most intuitive path to renewed success is to pair Bourne up with another established character.
Matt Damon’s Bourne Trilogy Is a Modern Action Classic
Loosely based on Ludlum’s novel of the same name, 2002’sThe Bourne Identityintroduces Jason when he is injured by gunshots and drifting in the Mediterranean Sea. After being rescued by a fishing boat, he realizes he has no memory before or of the mysterious incident that put him in the water, although he reflexively demonstrates high proficiency at many skills, both practical and specialized, including hand-to-hand combat. Following a few unusual clues, he travels Europe to rediscover his past,eventually learning that he was part of an elite, especially covert, unit of CIA assassins called Treadstone, with one of his commonly used cover identities being named Jason Bourne (though he would later learn that his real name is David Webb).
In a pair of sequels, named after Ludlum’sThe Bourne SupremacyandThe Bourne Ultimatum, respectively, Jason learns more about his personal history and the torturous psychological conditioning used to make him and the other Treadstone operatives ideal assassins while being pursued by the agency, including members of the successor program Blackbriar. All three films are highly popularand considered to be modern classics,with praise frequently directed at their writing, acting, and timely themes aboutthe moral ambiguities in military and intelligence operations during the modern War on Terror.The sequels in particular are credited with popularizing the use of specific filming and editing techniques, including close-up shots, short shot durations, and shaky camera movementsto provoke realistic feelings of confusion and anxiety during action scenes. However, backlash against these practices eventually developed after a slew of imitator films and series used them less effectively, resulting in sequences or even entire projects that were dizzying to look at and/or simply difficult to visually comprehend.
Jeremy Renner’s ‘The Bourne Legacy’ Is an Underrated Addition to the Series
Although also taking its name from the corresponding novel (which was written by Ludlum’s successor,Eric Van Lustbader), 2012’sThe Bourne Legacy,co-written and directed byAndor’sTony Gilroy, expanded the franchise in unexpected and divisive ways. Taking place during and immediately afterUltimatum, the fourth film introduces the National Research Assay Group, a fictional organization that collaborated with the CIA to create and manage Treadstone and Blackbriar while also developing similar programs for other military and intelligence organizations. One such program, Outcome, enhances its agents’ physical and mental capacities through experimental medical procedures, effectively making them superhumans. When Bourne and moral agent Pamela Landy (Joan Allen) publicly expose Treadstone and Blackbriar’s illegal activities, group leader Eric Byer (Edward Norton) shuts down Outcome, with the agents and most of the support staff being killed in an attempt to cover up the project. Outcome agent Aaron Cross (Jeremy Renner)escapes assassination and goes on the run with one of the program’s chief scientists,Dr. Marta Shearing (Rachel Weisz).
Many fans and cultural critics objected to Damon’s Bourne being absent from the fourth film, despite being frequently referenced and other past cast members reprising their roles. Some were also frustrated by the introduction of actual superpowers to the series, which is known for beinga relatively realistic entry in the action genre.Consequently,Legacyreceived mixed reviews, but a significant portion of those who actually saw the film were impressed by the new leads. The film remains a rather interesting, still mostly realistic—or at least believable—mash-up of the spy and superhero subgenres and most fans of the series, even some who were initially wary of it, have subsequently vieweda crossover film featuring both Bourne and Cross as the next logical progression for the franchise.
The Next ‘Bourne’ Movie Needs Jason and Aaron Cross
However, only Damon and some of his prior collaborators returned for the fifth film, 2016’s confusingly titledJason Bourne, though some discreet references toLegacyare featured. Despite the initial excitement created by Damon reprising the role, the film received a reception similar toLegacy’s (ironically earning a Rotten Tomatoes score that’s actually a single point lower than that of Renner’s film). Criticism of the film focused mostly on a perceived lack of creativity, with many noting howthe story recycles beats that were used more effectively in prior films, specificallySupremacyandUltimatum. Since then, the only filmed project in the franchise has been the short-lived TV seriesTreadstone, which focused on an entirely new cast of characters.
Again, there’s as yet no guarantee that Damon will return to the role once more. And Universal’s comments do suggest that the studio will continue to attempt to expand the franchise with new characters and concepts, with a more plain reboot or remake of the original filmfeaturing a new actor as Bourne likely also being a possibility down the line.But it’s hard to imagine the public embracing a return of the franchise without at least one more story featuring the original lead. Especially given that Damon is currently set to star in another major blockbuster film,Christopher Nolan’sThe Odyssey, with his longtime friend and frequent collaboratorBen Affleckhaving comparedthe physical training and stunt work Damon is performing for that movie to that of priorBournefilms. Renner has likewise expressed a desire to return to action-heavy roles,specifically his Marvel superhero character Hawkeye, following his recovery from a life-threatening accident at the end of 2023. Given all this,the studio has a perfect opportunity to give series fans what they want most with a crossover filmand ensure the franchise’s longevity in the process.
The Bourne Identity
After waking up at sea with no memory of who he once was, Jason Bourne travels the world to discover his identity while mysterious assassins try to kill him. Matt Damon stars as Jason Bourne, a character first appearing in Robert Ludlum’s 1980 spy novel The Bourne Identity. The film was followed by The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum, both of which were also adaptations of Ludlum’s work.
