Apparently, the fourth time is not a charm for the Matt Damon-centered Bourne franchise. Recent reports from the folks at The Playlist indicate that director Paul Greengrass has quit the helm of 'Bourne 4' under rumors of irreconcilable "creative differences" with the heads of Universal Pictures.
Greengrass was purportedly upset that Universal had hired a second screenwriter to redraft another, "parallel," version of the script without consulting him. The first script -- written by screenwriter George Nolfi, who penned 'The Bourne Ultimatum,' the third in the series -- was deemed unsatisfactory by the studio and when Universal executives independently hired up-and-coming writer Jeff Zetumer, Greengrass walked off the job.
Of course there are two sides to every story and the word from Universal is that they were unhappy with Greengrass for going over budget on his recent film, 'Green Zone,' another starring vehicle for Damon. That film is still being edited and expected to cost the studio as much as the third Bourne saga, another Greengrass feature famously over budget because of the number of re-shoots due to an unfinished script. If Universal hired a second writer for the fourth installment of the Bourne saga, it would seem to be as a way to minimize costs.
Damon, who has worked with Greengrass in a total of three films -- 'The Bourne Supremacy,' the second in the saga, 'Ultimatum' and 'Green Zone' -- is expected to stand by his man. Tension between filmmakers and studio bosses are all too common but in this case Damon's star power will likely add more blood to the feud.
If Damon follows Greengrass out the door, Universal will have the unenviable task of trying to replace a popular actor who helped make the Bourne saga a brand name. Since finding a comparable actor with Damon's star power looks elusive at this point, will the studio make nice with Greengrass?
It looks like the Bourne franchise is in serious jeopardy. Without Greengrass, it's likely that there will be no Damon. And without Damon, no moviegoers.
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