Seems like Matt Damon has a very special place for his Jason Bourne franchise in his heart. After all, why else would he go to lengths to ensure the success of the action-packed series, even interrupting the shoot of another major film? Hence, when Damon sensed that his beloved franchise was in danger, he didn’t think twice before jumping in.
Reportedly, Damon interrupted his shoot with stars like Brad Pitt, George Clooney, and Julia Roberts in order to save a Bourne movie.
Why did Matt Damon interrupt the shoot of a major movie to save Bourne?
It’s true that Matt Damon’s dedication to the Bourne movies was evident from the outset. Especially when he embraced the physical demands of the character without complaints. However, in an intriguing twist, Damon temporarily left the set of a significant drama film, starring Brad Pitt, George Clooney, and Julia Roberts, to enhance a pivotal scene in the second Bourne film.
After the success of The Bourne Identity, director Paul Greengrass has high hopes for the second installment, The Bourne Supremacy, released in 2004. However, during the production of the film, Damon was busy shooting Ocean’s Twelve. But when the filmmaker was putting the movie together, he realized that the movie requires a fresh conclusion.
And while discussing Damon’s dedication to the project, The Guardian reported,
“Two weeks before its release, [Greengrass] got together with its star, Matt Damon, came up with a new ending and phoned the producers saying the new idea was way better. And it would cost $200,000 and involve pulling Damon from the set of Ocean’s 12 for a re-shoot. Reluctantly the producers agreed – the movie tested 10 points higher with the new ending and made $176m at the box office. Now that’s power.”
The incident definitely highlights the fact that the $1.6 billion franchise’s success is as much a result of the storytelling as it is of Damon’s dedication. The Ford Vs Ferrari actor’s willingness to pull away from Ocean’s Twelve temporarily to save the Bourne movie speaks a lot about his craft and love for the series.
Did Jeremy Renner sink Matt Damon’s Bourne legacy?
After completing three successful Bourne movies, The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy, and The Bourne Ultimatum, Damon bid adieu to the series. However, continuing with the legacy, the franchise released its fourth installment, The Bourne Legacy featuring Jeremy Renner as the lead.
Reportedly, Damon’s decision to part ways with the franchise was a result of director Paul Greengrass’ absence from the fourth part of the series. While Damon was optimistic about a comeback, he realized that Renner’s Bourne sequel has altered the trajectory of the series altogether. In an interview with Playboy, Damon candidly stated,
“You know what? They might have taken the Bourne series out back and shot it in the head. If that’s the end of it, that’s just the end of it. I hope not. I love the character and the three movies we did, so I’d love to figure out a way to do another one.”
However, Damon soon returned to the series in 2016’s Jason Bourne. Although the movie did not perform as well as the trilogy, it saw Damon’s return to the franchise. The films of the Bourne franchise are available for audiences to explore on Prime Video.
Source: The Guardian, Parade
