Greengrass Says He Turned Down Bond Out of Bourne Loyalty
The director said on The Rest Is Classified podcast that he was offered a James Bond film but stayed with the Bourne series instead.
Paul Greengrass said he was offered the chance to direct a James Bond film after he made The Bourne Supremacy, and turned it down out of loyalty to the Bourne series. He made the comment on The Rest Is Classified podcast, according to Deadline.
Greengrass said he would not take on a Bond film, citing his attachment to Bourne as the reason. He also praised Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson, and Daniel Craig, for their work on the franchise.
On Bourne, the director said he hopes Matt Damon returns to the role of Jason Bourne and believes efforts to bring him back are continuing.
A franchise that continued without its star
The Bourne Identity, directed by Doug Liman, opened the series in 2002. Greengrass then directed The Bourne Supremacy (2004) and The Bourne Ultimatum (2007). The Bourne Legacy followed in 2012 with Jeremy Renner playing a new character, and Jason Bourne, with Damon back in the title role, arrived in 2016.
In June, Damon said he was open to reviving the series and that attempts to write a new story were ongoing. The Bourne films have collectively grossed more than $1.64 billion worldwide.
Quick answers
Did Paul Greengrass direct a James Bond film?
No. He said he was offered the chance after directing The Bourne Supremacy but declined, citing loyalty to the Bourne series.
Where did Paul Greengrass discuss the Bond offer?
On The Rest Is Classified podcast.
Will Matt Damon return as Jason Bourne?
Greengrass said he hopes Damon returns and believes efforts to bring him back are continuing. No return has been confirmed.