Bourne film franchise in doubt after director quits

[bradavon]

Bugger -

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/ar ... quits.html

I bet this means it will still be made but will be shit. I hope Damon refuses to make it unless Greengrass (or Liman) comes back.

[saltysam]

While i never thought this series to be as good as the hype,it's still a pretty strong franchise. i'm sure Greengrass walking is not a disaster,he's not the only one capable of shakeycam after all

[Markgway]

Greengrass isn't that good an action director in my opinion. Hope they get someone better. Len Wiseman did a good job on Die Hard 4. That's if they can't get Liman - the original and best director (of the series) back.

[saltysam]

That's if they can't get Liman - the original and best director (of the series) back.

Still haven't forgiven him for managing to make a dull movie from such a great concept (Jumper).

[bradavon]

Len fucking Wiseman! Are you for real? He'd fill Bourne with lots of colourful CGI. The thing is the Bourne films aren't just action films, they're also proper thrillers, with good acting and very good scripts. I fear they'd replace him with someone like McG or Bret Ratner who'd turn it into a mess.

[saltysam]

I fear they'd replace him with someone like McG or Bret Ratner who'd turn it into a mess.

Thought you liked T4 was that a mess

[Yi-Long]

Greengrass should have been shot in the face a long long time ago. What makes the Bourne movies so good, is mostly the screenplay/script. The directing is too 'in your face' with the horrible shakey-cam and ridiculously fast cuts...

The guy is a hack.

[bradavon]

The guy is a hack.

Are you for real? You're putting him in the same category as Brett Ratner. Check out United 9/11, Bloody Sunday. He's no hack!

Thought you liked T4 was that a mess

I certainly do and no it's not a mess but obviously it's no T1 or T2 for being a serious film, as well as decent action film. That's what McG would do to Bourne also.

[Shingster]

I'd have no problems wth Frank Marshall taking over as director, he was instrumental in the making of the first three and according to rumours he filmed a significant amount of the first film (can't seem to find anything online to back that up though). Oh and Len Wiseman, no. Just...noooooooooo!

[Markgway]

Still haven't forgiven him for managing to make a dull movie from such a great concept (Jumper).

Haven't seen that.

Len fucking Wiseman! Are you for real? He'd fill Bourne with lots of colourful CGI.

I'm sure the producers would have something to say about that. The only film of his I've seen is DH4 but I thought it was very entertaining.

The thing is the Bourne films aren't just action films, they're also proper thrillers, with good acting and very good scripts.

Action films can have good acting and very good scripts. I take your point about them being thrillers more than pure action though. How about someone like Brian DePalma then? Or Martin Campbell?

I fear they'd replace him with someone like McG or Bret Ratner who'd turn it into a mess.

[saltysam]

Wiseman made Underworld 1 & 2 which were decent enough imo.

[bradavon]

Underworld 1 is good but no way up to the calibre of quality of the Bourne films (same goes for DH4). They have lots of CGI too.

How about someone like Brian DePalma then? Or Martin Campbell?

Excellent choices. Especially Campbell. John McTiernan would be good too. John Frankenheimer would've also been good.

[grim_tales]

Martin Campbell or getting Liman himself back would have been good. The use of shaky-cam annoyed me, it may have upped the grittiness but its hard to see whats going on.
Would De Palma know how to do action?

[Shingster]

Would De Palma know how to do action?

He directed Scarface, The Untouchables, Casualties of War, Carlito's Way, Mission Impossible, and Snake Eyes, what the fuck do you think? Comments like this is what this smiley was made for: What the hell are they teaching you in that film class you're attending?

[romerojpg]

He must have Brad as a teacher

[Markgway]

[grim_tales]

I know Shing but I wasnt sure if that was the type of action Bourne would have (Mission Impossible, maybe).
I know I post silly stuff.

[bradavon]

More on The Bourne Legacy (aka Bourne 4):

Tony Gilroy, who wrote the scripts of the first 3 Bourne movies, will not only write the sceenplay of Bourne 4, but he will also take over the director's seat! Fortunately this won't be his directorial debut, he already helmed two movies: Michael Clayton and Duplicity.

Now that you know Director Paul Greengrass isn't coming back, I guess you're wondering about Actor Matt Damon. Well Tony Gilroy recently talked about his vision for the Bourne Legacy movie:

"It's a completely original screenplay. This is not a reboot or a recast or a prequel. No one's replacing Matt Damon. There will be a whole new hero, a whole new chapter…this is a stand-alone project. The easiest way to think of it is an expansion or a reveal…Jason Bourne will not be in this film, but he's very much alive. What happened in the first three films is the trigger for what happens. I’m building a legend and an environment and a wider conspiracy…the world we’re making enhances and advances and invites Jason Bourne's return."

The chances of this being up there with the previous films is so low. I wish they'd just not bother now. A Bourne film without Bourne. Hmm. great idea!

Source: http://bourne-4-trailer.blogspot.com/

[saltysam]

It's probably going to kill the franchise stone dead.The director doesn't breed much confidence-Michael Clayton was boring & Duplicity plain crap.Hopefully they can pull something off and maybe Damon & Greengrass will return for Part Five it's happened before- Fast & The Furious 3 had neither lead from the first two movies but presumably still did well enough for both original stars to return for parts 4 & 5.

[bradavon]

I agree but most seemed to think Michael Clayton was very good. Paul Walker and Vin Diesel aren't Grangrass and Damon though.

[saltysam]

Paul Walker and Vin Diesel aren't Grangrass and Damon though.

Maybe not but they were still the main focus of the F & F movies and both were awol for part 3 and the franchise survived which was my point.The Bourne movies could easily carry on without Shakeycam legend Greengrass who isn't particularly great.Damon is the much bigger loss.

[HungFist]

A Bourne film without Bourne. Hmm. great idea!

Actually, I think it's a good idea. No Greengrass, no Damon, they're gonna end up with something different. It's better to do it on purpose.

And frankly speaking, I think it's a good turn for the series, if they insist on continuing it. The films are decently good, but Bourne isn't an especially memorable character. He's more like an engine that keeps the films moving. New main character makes this project more interesting.

Not that I'd be that interested in it no matter who makes it. The sequels are not bad, but I only really like the first one.

[luckystars]

I've never liked the films. I just can't see them as that good or that enjoyable.

A change of team will keep it fresh though. Hollywood thrives on trilogies and boxsets so why not another 3 with a different team?

Oh and is hasn't done Bond any harm over the years!

[bradavon]

Maybe not but they were still the main focus of the F & F movies and both were awol for part 3 and the franchise survived which was my point.

The main focus was the action and Walker is very easily replaced. I take your point but it's not the best example .

The Bourne movies could easily carry on without Shakeycam legend Greengrass who isn't particularly great.

He's a very good director IMO. Even if you dislike his "modern" directing style. I agree he can be replaced, Liman did a fine job of part 1. I also agree Damon is a bigger loss.

Actually, I think it's a good idea. No Greengrass, no Damon, they're gonna end up with something different.

Agreed. There isn't much further they can take the character but Bourne without Bourne is gonna be hard to pull off. The film is completely about Jason Bourne.

The director doesn't exactly fill me with hope though. How many writers have turned into decent directors? Blade Trinity anyone?

[saltysam]

but it's not the best example .

Let's hear your example then.