134 replies to this topic

[Loomis]

Cool news on THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM from AICN:

Tony Gilroy is sitting down to write THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM!!!

Hey folks, Harry here... I don't know about you - but THE BOURNE IDENTITY and THE BOURNE SUPREMACY have been two of the very best "modern" franchise films I've seen made in quite some time. And it always seems like they're underdog films. Movies that don't get the credit they deserve. I have to say - they really are amazing films... So it absolutely delights me that Variety broke that Tony Gilroy had officially signed on to pen his third Bourne film... THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM!!! They don't have a director yet, and Matt Damon - being smart as hell - won't sign on til he reads the new script and makes sure it isn't just some knock off - but with Gilroy, I think that's not gonna be a problem. The key is to get a director on board that would knock this one out of the park. If I could throw two names in the ring for the position it'd be Matthew Vaughn and Joe Carnahan. Both of those guys would make a frickin' bad Bourne adventure. Who would you suggest?

http://www.aint-it-c...ay.cgi?id=20601

As for directors, I say forget fashionable and overhyped names like Vaughn and Carnahan. There are two directors who spring to my mind as absolutely perfect for Bourne, and funnily enough they're both South Korean: Je-gyu Kang (SWIRI) and Chan-wook Park (JOINT SECURITY AREA, OLDBOY). These guys can do action and atmosphere with the best of 'em, have terrific visual styles and can tell compelling stories. Sign one or t'other up, says I.

[Stephenson]

I really have mixed feelings about this third film idea. The problem I see is that Bourne has already gone about as far as he can go as a character: he has stuggled with his amnesia, lost the woman he loves, discovered his true identity, dispatched all the "bad men" who ruined his life, faced his equal (3 times if you count the fights in Identity), and attempted to redeem himself for his sins. What else can you do with him? Don't get me wrong, I loved the fights and the car chases, but one of the reasons I loved them was because I was genuinely interested in the character involved. But what now, aside from a "Bourne finds his family" story? Bourne: Millionaire Trouble-shooter who travels the world righting wrongs for the little people in an effort to`pay for his sins? Where's the motivation?

Edited by Stephenson, 28 June 2005 - 04:24 PM.

[Qwerty]

I think it sounds terrific so far!

[Stephenson]

I think it sounds terrific so far!

What sounds terrific so far? The fact that Gilroy is writing the script?

[Qwerty]

Yes, plus all the other rumours and ideas brought up in past CBn threads about this film. I'm looking forward to it even so that it's rather far on the horizon.

[Roebuck]

The problem I see is that Bourne has already gone about as far as he can go as a character.

Gilroy didn't so much adapt the Bourne novels as reinterpret them to fit with current geo-political realities. That's left him with a lot of unused source material for the new film. There are still be a lot of unquiet ghosts in this guys past. We still know next to nothing about Jason Bourne, and even less about David Webb.

[spynovelfan]

Indeed. Ludlum actually had some faascinating ideas - both plot ideas and character ideas - in the Bourne books. The problem with them is that they were all dreadfully written, I mean, really dreadful. And seriously over-written, too - you could have cut 200 pages from each of the novels without blinking. But there's a whole lot of stuff about who Bourne was before he was Bourne that has really hardly been explored in the films. The whole Webb thing was linked to Vietnam, but I suspect they will bring this into the next film and it'll be Iraq, or Afghanistan, or wherever, and we'll see a lot more of the left-over Ludlum ideas.

I take your point about the character development, Stephenson, and the two films have already repeated themselves in some ways. Sure, I can see why you don't want another film where there's a traitor in the CIA, he's set up, he's on the run, there's some spooky flashbacks he has to decipher, man, his identity, who is he, etc. That is the Bourne series, though - the trick that they're going to have to pull off is to make the surrounding story different enough each time to disguise this. Hey, you're a Bond fan - you know the gig. Bourne's harder to sustain because, to put it bluntly, he actually has a character and conflict within it, and Bond is essentially an everyman and it's the situations he's in rather than his own character that's explored (despite Brosnan's feelings otherwise, that's the success of the series, and why it has lasted so long). But I think they've got at least one film left in this - they just need to set the script somewhere very different, stop with the handheld camera (for Christ's sake, please stop with the handheld camera, I have a headache!), and introduce Webb so there's a whole new level of conspiracy and mystery to play with. But I would agree that they can't go beyond that much, without it becoming a little pointless. At some stage, you just think: When does he get hi memory back? That said, there's not a lot of character development in the Quiller series, which is very similar in feel to the Bourne films, and yet he's a pretty complex and screwed up character. It's not as absurd as amnesia, though, so perhaps it's more sustainable. Nineteen books in that series, though - every one a winner. Bourne fans waiting for ULTIMATUM could do worse.

[K1Bond007]

I really have mixed feelings about this third film idea. The problem I see is that Bourne has already gone about as far as he can go as a character: he has stuggled with his amnesia, lost the woman he loves, discovered his true identity, dispatched all the "bad men" who ruined his life, faced his equal (3 times if you count the fights in Identity), and attempted to redeem himself for his sins. What else can you do with him? Don't get me wrong, I loved the fights and the car chases, but one of the reasons I loved them was because I was genuinely interested in the character involved. But what now, aside from a "Bourne finds his family" story? Bourne: Millionaire Trouble-shooter who travels the world righting wrongs for the little people in an effort to`pay for his sins? Where's the motivation?

I find this intriguing given that you're posting this on the forums of a James Bond website. With Bond, just about everything has been done in some form of media so really, who's to say that a third film (Bond being on 21 officially) can't be entertaining.

As Spynovelfan points out theres a lot of left over stuff from the novels that weren't used. The movie, The Bourne Supremacy has absolutely nothing to do with the novel. It's entirely different. There's always -Medusa- to explore too.

...wait till you find out that

/spoiler.gif

Bourne was previously married...

/gen_line.gif

Edited by K1Bond007, 28 June 2005 - 09:35 PM.

[Loomis]

Looks as though Damon is all but confirmed for THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM (surprise, surprise), but he hints that he'll call it a day with Bourne after that (again, not exactly unexpected news).

http://news.softpedi...atum-6987.shtml

Matt Damon Gives The Bourne Ultimatum

"The Brothers Grimm" star will soon return as Jason Bourne in the third installment of the movie.
By: Entertainment News Staff

After Doug Liman

[spynovelfan]

That would be the only way to kind of come back and do it, is not just to milk the cash cow, but to make it a proper kind of trilogy and finish it on a great note so that people look back and say, 'You know what, that was a ing kick- three-movie trilogy there.'

As opposed to saying it was a ing kick- seven-movie trilogy?

I think there will be more than three films. They could just spin them off into other Treadstone agents, or simply have another actor play Bourne and adapt the continuation novels Lustbader has started. Paul Bettany as Jason Bourne - I'd go.

[Loomis]

That would be the only way to kind of come back and do it, is not just to milk the cash cow, but to make it a proper kind of trilogy and finish it on a great note so that people look back and say, 'You know what, that was a ing kick- three-movie trilogy there.'

As opposed to saying it was a ing kick- seven-movie trilogy?

I think there will be more than three films.

Only three or four with Damon, I reckon. After that it may be a case of "I want at least $100 million to play Bourne again", "I felt such a fraud standing there delivering all that gritty, serious dialogue", and so on.

But another actor in the role at some point, a la Bond and Jack Ryan? Could happen, I suppose. By that time, I guess the dozens of Bourne sites that'll be up and running will carry rumours that the producers are seeking to "go back to Ludlum" and cast "a Chamberlain-type actor as the original vision of Bourne". While the fanboys will debate whether Christopher Eccleston is handsome enough for the role and Sean Brosnan not American enough, and whether a non-white Bourne would be okay.

Much as I'd like to see it, though, I doubt that, in 2042, we'll be seeing the fifth or sixth 30-something as Bourne, still suffering from amnesia contracted in 2002 and still being hunted by the CIA. But even if they were to stick closely to the plotlines and spirit of IDENTITY and SUPREMACY (no Bourne flying an invisible fighter jet, for instance, or trying to stop the destruction of the world by a space weapon), I think the franchise is good for six or seven films, easily. I mean, just look at how they've spun out "The Sopranos" and "24" (not always keeping the quality up, it has to be said).

[Qwerty]

I think there will be more than three films.

I hope so.

[JackChase007]

Lately, I've become more of the opinion that the Bourne series should end with Ultimatum. If they can really develop further films of the same quality, then sure, I'd be all for it, but I think when you aim to do a 20+ number of films in a series, it's hard to keep things fresh and the enthusiasm level at a constant high.

[terminus]

I'd be willing to see Legacy made - but they killed his lover in the second movie and she's in all of the books !

How will they get round that one !

[Tarl_Cabot]

I'd be willing to see Legacy made - but they killed his lover in the second movie and she's in all of the books !

How will they get round that one !

They got around Carlos...I think 3/4 Bournes is enough...I don't wanna see sequalitis syndrome set in...a perfect trilogy/quadrilogy suits me.

[Roebuck]

Not huge news, but it's something.

Joan Allen is in early talks to return as spymaster Pamela Landy in ''The Bourne Ultimatum'' when it starts filming in '07.

Could this mean that Jason Bourne has found his 'M'?

http://www.chud.com/...pe=news&id=5039

[Harmsway]

I thought that Lustbader's follow up book was a one time trick.

I thought his first go at Bourne was really about somebody else than Ludlums Bourne. It threw away everything Bourne fought for in the Ludlum books.

They should do a series on Nicolas Linnear from Lustbaders own books, starting with the Ninja.

Funny, that I enjoyed Lustbader's book much more than any of the (IMO, anyway) horridly boring Ludlum Bourne books.

[Qwerty]

Joan Allen is in early talks to return as spymaster Pamela Landy in ''The Bourne Ultimatum'' when it starts filming in '07.
http://www.chud.com/...pe=news&id=5039

Love her character and Allen's portrayal.

[H.M.Servant]

[quote name='JackChase007' date='21 September 2005 - 17:11']Lately, I've become more of the opinion that the Bourne series should end with Ultimatum.

Edited by H.M.Servant, 14 November 2005 - 02:23 PM.

[Loomis]

[quote name='H.M.Servant' date='14 November 2005 - 14:22'][quote name='JackChase007' date='21 September 2005 - 17:11']Lately, I've become more of the opinion that the Bourne series should end with Ultimatum.

[Tarl_Cabot]

[quote name='Loomis' date='14 November 2005 - 08:29'][quote name='H.M.Servant' date='14 November 2005 - 14:22'][quote name='JackChase007' date='21 September 2005 - 17:11']Lately, I've become more of the opinion that the Bourne series should end with Ultimatum.

[killkenny kid]

Mr. Bourne can you please go away.

[Loomis]

Not a fan of the Bournes, killkenny kid?

If you haven't seen 'em, check 'em out - they're really rather good.

[killkenny kid]

Hi, Loomis. The Bourne Identity was excellent. Superemacy put me to sleep. And I'm just getting sick of the Broune envy, that has come to the world of Bond.

[Loomis]

Fair enough. Like I say, though, with the way CASINO ROYALE seems to be shaping up, Bond may be on the verge of beating Bourne at his own game. I used to assume that there was little chance of CR being remotely as good as THE BOURNE SUPREMACY, but now I'm not so sure. I think both films will be very good indeed.

But I hope that Bourne won't fall by the wayside as a revitalised Bond franchise regains its - ho ho - supremacy, as apparently happened with Jack Ryan (no followup to 1994's utterly superb CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER until 2002's execrable THE SUM OF ALL FEARS, although it's a huge leap to assume that the Ryan franchise ground to a halt because of the success of GOLDENEYE, TOMORROW NEVER DIES, etc.). I think there's room for both franchises, and, as a fan of both, I want both to prosper.

[killkenny kid]

Yes, fair enough.

[H.M.Servant]

I find it strange that people would compare the Bourne Series to Bond. They're two entirely different things. I don't think CR will be anything like the Bourne films.

[Tarl_Cabot]

I find it strange that people would compare the Bourne Series to Bond. They're two entirely different things. I don't think CR will be anything like the Bourne films.

Two entirely different things? Both have the same initials. They are both Goverment agents(trained; former, in the case of Bourne)and are skilled in the black arts(espionage,assassination,combat,emergency driving...etc.).Both are well traveled and speak numerous languages...Ludlum blantantly used Bond as a model for Bourne and threw in the 'situation drama' of amnesia to give it a niche in the genre.I'd say they are very similiar or at least worthy of comparison. I'd like to see Bond do more stuff like Bourne in terms of demonstrating his trade craft and using his mind rather than his gagets to get out of tight spots.For that reason I think Bourne is the more interesting/compelling screen hero...Let's hope Casino Royale changes that.

[Blofeld's Cat]

I find it strange that people would compare the Bourne Series to Bond. They're two entirely different things. I don't think CR will be anything like the Bourne films.

Two entirely different things? Both have the same initials. They are both Goverment agents(trained; former, in the case of Bourne)and are skilled in the black arts(espionage,assassination,combat,emergency driving...etc.).Both are well traveled and speak numerous languages...Ludlum blantantly used Bond as a model for Bourne and threw in the 'situation drama' of amnesia to give it a niche in the genre.I'd say they are very similiar or at least worthy of comparison. I'd like to see Bond do more stuff like Bourne in terms of demonstrating his trade craft and using his mind rather than his gagets to get out of tight spots.For that reason I think Bourne is the more interesting/compelling screen hero...Let's hope Casino Royale changes that.

Well, of course that major, major difference being that one series is rooted in reality while the other (the Bonds) are more of a hyper-reality.

A huge diference.

[Simon]

......... mileage in the character for a few more films, with or without Damon, although they'd certainly have to shake things up a bit after ULTIMATUM to give the series a new lease of life. Perhaps Bourne ................

This New Lease of Life really does seem to be the byword for those foretelling the future of supposed long running series.

Are we really at this stage? As above, it is a reality based 'series' and I can't accept that there will really be any reason for injecting gimmicks and replacement actors for something which really has places yet to go.

To turn this on it's head, Eastenders (a UK down and out reality based soap) has been going for (bloody) ever and there has never been a reason to radically alter anything.

I have to admit I am guessing somewhat here as I do not watch it but can only assume that aside from actors moving on, the formula for this reality will stay the same until reality alters radically. Market stalls in space, anyone?