304 replies to this topic

[Loomis]

THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM has been nominated for Best British Film at the BAFTA Awards. Never knew it was a British film, but there ya go. It's also received five other nominations, with Greengrass in the running for Best Director.

I highly doubt it'll win anything beyond maybe one or two "minor" awards like Best Sound, but it's a bit of heartwarming news for Bourne fans.

http://uk.movies.ign...5/845810p1.html

[Jim]

THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM has been nominated for Best British Film at the BAFTA Awards. Never knew it was a British film, but there ya go.

Yes, it was hugely British, wasn't it? What a curious label.

[Tarl_Cabot]

http://chud.com/arti...GAIN/Page1.html

It's on! The Bourne Quadrilogy!

[Loomis]

I was certain that Damon, at least, would be back for more Bourne, but many years from now, in an Arnie-in-T3/Bruce-in-DIE HARD 4/Connery-in-NSNA/Sly-in-ROCKY BALBOA/etc., etc. kinda way. I felt that, in the meantime, the franchise would go the prequel route a la HANNIBAL RISING, in order to milk more bucks from a Bourne-loving public and stoke the fires of anticipation for that eventual Big Comeback™ by The REAL Jason Bourne™, Matt Daaaaaaaamon.

That Greengrass seems keen for another whack at Bourne may initially seem surprising, but then again his DVD commentary for SUPREMACY gives the impression that he sees Bourne as a character open to endless adventures and interpretations and doesn't see any particular hurry to wrap things up.

Also, one imagines that his paycheque for directing BOURNE 4 would be nothing other than absolutely astrofrickinnomical.

Still, even if Damon and Greengrass have signed up for a new one, the thing may not actually go into production for a few years (I believe Stallone and Willis inked their RAMBO IV and DIE HARD 4 deals three or four years before those flicks started shooting).

Anyway, bring it on!

[Tarl_Cabot]

*&^% yeah!! I really am bored with the prequel mentality...we don't need to know his complete back story...but they could include a sorta of prequel pre-title that takes place in say, Kosovo-Bosnia in the late 90s while he was a Delta Force guy or whatever...and link it to present day situations...The Bourne Legacy has loads of possiblities and just because the "central issue of the trilogy has been resolved" doesn't mean they can't make 3 more truly kickin actioniers with Bourne...also, Damon is 37, the same age as Bourne is in the first book so he has plenty of gas in the tank...let's burn it!

I'd like to see the Neski daughter again and have Bourne do some sort of rescue of her...maybe she's kidknapped by sex traders and sold into white slavery in Dubai...ah la "Spartan". Or she's sold a bogus load of goods like a "modeling job" in Paris..etc. Then there's the issue of Nikki being an on the run ex-agent...

[triviachamp]

I wonder how snobby Greengrass will get with those Oscar wins for Bourne?

[Tarl_Cabot]

I wonder how snobby Greengrass will get with those Oscar wins for Bourne?

Hopefully snobby enough to make more Bourne films.

[sharpshooter]

I'm not sure about a 4th. They tied it off so well in Ultimatum.

[spynovelfan]

Some rapid observations, having finally watched ULTIMATUM a few weeks ago:

• I'm not sure how widely this was realised by cinema-goers (I suspect not very), but most of ULTIMATUM took place between the penultimate and final scenes of SUPREMACY. Very odd idea. But this would seem to offer...

[list]
[*]A very different set of ideas for timelines for possible further films

[dodge]

[quote name='spynovelfan' post='842745' date='25 February 2008 - 13:23']Some rapid observations, having finally watched ULTIMATUM a few weeks ago:

• I'm not sure how widely this was realised by cinema-goers (I suspect not very), but most of ULTIMATUM took place between the penultimate and final scenes of SUPREMACY. Very odd idea. But this would seem to offer...

[list]
[*]A very different set of ideas for timelines for possible further films

[tdalton]

I'm not sure about a 4th. They tied it off so well in Ultimatum.

I'm not sure about a fourth film either. SUPREMACY and ULTIMATUM were quite poor, IMO, and there really is no need four a fourth film. If they were to bring back Doug Liman, however, then I'd be one of the first in line to see that film, as THE BOURNE IDENTITY was one of, if not the, the best spy/espionage films in recent memory.

[HH007]

I'm not sure about a 4th. They tied it off so well in Ultimatum.

I'm not sure about a fourth film either. SUPREMACY and ULTIMATUM were quite poor, IMO, and there really is no need four a fourth film. If they were to bring back Doug Liman, however, then I'd be one of the first in line to see that film, as THE BOURNE IDENTITY was one of, if not the, the best spy/espionage films in recent memory.

Agreed. I think whatever story there was to tell was told in the first film. Both the sequels were overrated and I think Bourne became a considerably less appealing character in them.

[Tarl_Cabot]

I'm not sure about a 4th. They tied it off so well in Ultimatum.

I'm not sure about a fourth film either. SUPREMACY and ULTIMATUM were quite poor, IMO, and there really is no need four a fourth film. If they were to bring back Doug Liman, however, then I'd be one of the first in line to see that film, as THE BOURNE IDENTITY was one of, if not the, the best spy/espionage films in recent memory.

quite poor? Really? wow.I think the action scenes were upgraded with Paul Greengrass but I understand why the shaky cam doesn't work for some people....I am more eager to see QoS but I welcome more Bourne movies cuz they rock.

[Harmsway]

I'll welcome more Bourne if they can do something new with the fourth installment. I don't have any interest in CIA corruption being the central storyline again, after it having been gone over three times.

A BOURNE LEGACY-style storyline could work well.

[Loomis]

Trouble is, the Doug Liman who directed THE BOURNE IDENTITY now seems to be a Lee Tamahori-style hack who makes glossy dross. Bringing back director John G. Avildsen did not result in ROCKY V being as good a film as ROCKY.

Done right, BOURNE 4 could be the THUNDERBALL of the series (Bond history appears to hold that THUNDERBALL was the film that finally made a genuine, grade A pop culture phenomenon out of 007). If Greengrass were to lose or at least minimise the shakycam (which may be inappropriate now that Bourne has regained his memory and is thus more stable - let the cinematography be more stable, too) and ring a few more changes, then we may be onto something good.

Anyway, I'm sure that, if Greengrass does end up directing BOURNE 4, it'll be very different to THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM, which in any case feels less like A Proper Film™ than THE BOURNE SUPREMACY VOL. 2.

[Harmsway]

Trouble is, the Doug Liman who directed THE BOURNE IDENTITY now seems to be a Lee Tamahori-style hack who makes glossy dross.

Indeed he does. I don't want him anywhere near Bourne again, given MR. AND MRS. SMITH and JUMPER.

[tdalton]

I'm not sure about a 4th. They tied it off so well in Ultimatum.

I'm not sure about a fourth film either. SUPREMACY and ULTIMATUM were quite poor, IMO, and there really is no need four a fourth film. If they were to bring back Doug Liman, however, then I'd be one of the first in line to see that film, as THE BOURNE IDENTITY was one of, if not the, the best spy/espionage films in recent memory.

Agreed. I think whatever story there was to tell was told in the first film. Both the sequels were overrated and I think Bourne became a considerably less appealing character in them.

Completely agreed. SUPREMACY and ULTIMATUM are, IMO, are right alongside MICHAEL CLAYTON as the most overrated films of the decade. IDENTITY was infinitely better than its sequels, and it's a shame that we weren't given that quality throughout the trilogy. I know that many here have expressed doubts about Liman's directing ability since his departure from the series, but even if he could just recapture even a half of the magic that made THE BOURNE IDENTITY a great film, then it would still be far superior to what Greengrass has done with SUPREMACY and ULTIMATUM.

[Harmsway]

All my favorite moments of the franchise are in SUPREMACY. It's not as tightly told as IDENTITY, but SUPREMACY features moments that are more affecting and thrilling than anything in that film.

[HH007]

I'm not sure about a 4th. They tied it off so well in Ultimatum.

I'm not sure about a fourth film either. SUPREMACY and ULTIMATUM were quite poor, IMO, and there really is no need four a fourth film. If they were to bring back Doug Liman, however, then I'd be one of the first in line to see that film, as THE BOURNE IDENTITY was one of, if not the, the best spy/espionage films in recent memory.

Agreed. I think whatever story there was to tell was told in the first film. Both the sequels were overrated and I think Bourne became a considerably less appealing character in them.

Completely agreed. SUPREMACY and ULTIMATUM are, IMO, are right alongside MICHAEL CLAYTON as the most overrated films of the decade. IDENTITY was infinitely better than its sequels, and it's a shame that we weren't given that quality throughout the trilogy. I know that many here have expressed doubts about Liman's directing ability since his departure from the series, but even if he could just recapture even a half of the magic that made THE BOURNE IDENTITY a great film, then it would still be far superior to what Greengrass has done with SUPREMACY and ULTIMATUM.

I have no doubts in Liman's directing abilities, I love the three films of his I've seen (Bourne I, GO, Swingers), it's just his choices in material lately haven't been up to par with what he's done in the past. Also, Paul Greengrass's United 93 I thought was excellent, and Bloody Sunday was quite good. So what's my problem with the Bourne sequels...? The scripts. There's nothing to them. Bourne Supremacy was a two hour chase scene. Bourne Ultimatum was a two hour chase scene. As I said, the story was told in the first movie and then dragged along and taken nowhere for two more. And it's funny you mention Michael Clayton (which I have yet to see) as being over-rated along with them, because they all share the same screenwriter... again, the scripts are the problem. The director can be brilliant, but you can't make a good movie out of a bad script.

[Tarl_Cabot]

I'll welcome more Bourne if they can do something new with the fourth installment. I don't have any interest in CIA corruption being the central storyline again, after it having been gone over three times.

A BOURNE LEGACY-style storyline could work well.

Agreed. We don't need 'the bad CIA apples chasing Bourne again deal' and they don't have to go that route again to make a quality outing.

I'd like to see Jason Bourne in east Asia for a change:Vietnam, Hong Kong/Macau, Singapore and Jakarta to name a few spots.Or better yet, the home of his martial art system of Kali-the Filipines.There could be some good combat potential there.

[HH007]

I'm not sure about a 4th. They tied it off so well in Ultimatum.

I'm not sure about a fourth film either. SUPREMACY and ULTIMATUM were quite poor, IMO, and there really is no need four a fourth film. If they were to bring back Doug Liman, however, then I'd be one of the first in line to see that film, as THE BOURNE IDENTITY was one of, if not the, the best spy/espionage films in recent memory.

quite poor? Really? wow.I think the action scenes were upgraded with Paul Greengrass...

Better action scenes doesn't make a better movie.

[Tarl_Cabot]

I'm not sure about a 4th. They tied it off so well in Ultimatum.

I'm not sure about a fourth film either. SUPREMACY and ULTIMATUM were quite poor, IMO, and there really is no need four a fourth film. If they were to bring back Doug Liman, however, then I'd be one of the first in line to see that film, as THE BOURNE IDENTITY was one of, if not the, the best spy/espionage films in recent memory.

Agreed. I think whatever story there was to tell was told in the first film. Both the sequels were overrated and I think Bourne became a considerably less appealing character in them.

Completely agreed. SUPREMACY and ULTIMATUM are, IMO, are right alongside MICHAEL CLAYTON as the most overrated films of the decade. IDENTITY was infinitely better than its sequels, and it's a shame that we weren't given that quality throughout the trilogy. I know that many here have expressed doubts about Liman's directing ability since his departure from the series, but even if he could just recapture even a half of the magic that made THE BOURNE IDENTITY a great film, then it would still be far superior to what Greengrass has done with SUPREMACY and ULTIMATUM.

I have no doubts in Liman's directing abilities, I love the three films of his I've seen (Bourne I, GO, Swingers), it's just his choices in material lately haven't been up to par with what he's done in the past. Also, Paul Greengrass's United 93 I thought was excellent, and Bloody Sunday was quite good. So what's my problem with the Bourne sequels...? The scripts. There's nothing to them. Bourne Supremacy was a two hour chase scene. Bourne Ultimatum was a two hour chase scene. As I said, the story was told in the first movie and then dragged along and taken nowhere for two more. And it's funny you mention Michael Clayton (which I have yet to see) as being over-rated along with them, because they all share the same screenwriter... again, the scripts are the problem. The director can be brilliant, but you can't make a good movie out of a bad script.

But what an amazing job they did turning a thin script into a compelling action movie. Chase movies aere fun.Imagine if they had a really meaty story?

[Loomis]

Trouble is, the Doug Liman who directed THE BOURNE IDENTITY now seems to be a Lee Tamahori-style hack who makes glossy dross.

Indeed he does. I don't want him anywhere near Bourne again, given MR. AND MRS. SMITH and JUMPER.

I think we're in good hands with Greengrass, and I don't see the need to change horses midstream, to quote Mr Bush. I'm fairly sure that Greengrass, being the intelligent and innovative filmmaker he is, will not wish to repeat himself yet again with BOURNE 4. It won't be a SUPREMACY/ULTIMATUM clone, either in content or style.

(Or even if it is, heck, that's certainly far better than a kick in the teeth.)

Or failing Greengrass, just assuming that he for some reason doesn't do BOURNE 4 (this news doesn't seem 100% confirmed to me, but maybe I'm wrong and it is indeed official), I'd rather see a new director than Liman. Michael Winterbottom, perhaps, or Chan-wook Park - someone who's a bit of an "unexpected" or "brave" choice, just as Greengrass was when he was hired for SUPREMACY.

Of course, Tony Gilroy would be the obvious choice, and probably a good one. Seems he's writing an upcoming video game, THE BOURNE CONSPIRACY - if it does well, might it be the title of BOURNE 4? (Damon's Bourne is still too young for the plot of THE BOURNE LEGACY to be believable.... although I guess they could just use the title, as Eon so often did.)

http://en.wikipedia....urne_Conspiracy

[Harmsway]

So what's my problem with the Bourne sequels...? The scripts. There's nothing to them. Bourne Supremacy was a two hour chase scene.

Yes, but what a wonderful chase scene it was.

SUPREMACY was a relentless action thriller where the stakes were raised with each successive event. He was on the run in IDENTITY, but in SUPREMACY he's the predator. That's a satisfying reversal.

The director can be brilliant, but you can't make a good movie out of a bad script.

Well, I've seen a number of good movies with so-so screenplays. BLADE RUNNER, for one.

I'm fairly sure that Greengrass, being the intelligent and innovative filmmaker he is, will not wish to repeat himself yet again with BOURNE 4. It won't be a SUPREMACY/ULTIMATUM clone, either in content or style.

(Or even if it is, heck, that's certainly far better than a kick in the teeth.)

Agreed.

Seems he's writing an upcoming video game, THE BOURNE CONSPIRACY - if it does well, might it be the title of BOURNE 4?

Doubt it. Would they really name the film after the video game?

(Damon's Bourne is still too young for the plot of THE BOURNE LEGACY to be believable.... although I guess they could just use the title, as Eon so often did.)

They pretty much only used the title on the first three installments. I don't see what would stop them about doing the same with LEGACY.

[Loomis]

I'd like to see Jason Bourne in east Asia for a change:Vietnam, Hong Kong/Macau, Singapore and Jakarta to name a few spots.

Oh, most definitely. The series really needs a breath of fresh air in terms of locations, and east Asia would be just the ticket. I'd love to see Bourne in Beijing, Shanghai, Tokyo.... Seoul would be number one on my list, though: a visually striking city that's not been particularly overexposed in Hollywood films, with a great Cold War feel - and the American military (and, presumably, intelligence) presence there would make it a natural place for some Bourne mayhem (or maybe the young Bourne even served there).

Seems he's writing an upcoming video game, THE BOURNE CONSPIRACY - if it does well, might it be the title of BOURNE 4?

Doubt it. Would they really name the film after the video game?

If the game were a success, why not? One imagines that the next film will have to be called THE BOURNE SUCH-AND-SUCH (unless, of course, they go the Stallone route and call it JASON BOURNE), so why not use a title that may have some "recognition factor" to it?

They pretty much only used the title on the first three installments.

True.

I don't see what would stop them about doing the same with LEGACY.

The only thing that I can see stopping them would be a requirement to buy the rights (which may also stop them calling the film THE BOURNE CONSPIRACY). Cheaper to think up their own THE BOURNE SUCH-AND-SUCH title than to pay Lustbader and co. Still, for all I know "they" may already have the movie rights to all Bourne titles - no idea how the situation stands.

[marktmurphy]

So what's my problem with the Bourne sequels...? The scripts. There's nothing to them. Bourne Supremacy was a two hour chase scene. Bourne Ultimatum was a two hour chase scene.

I don't really get that. You're right in Ultimatum's case, yeah, and they tacked on yet another layer to Bourne's 'mystery' that didn't really even lead anywhere, but Supremacy was a great sequel with a very decent story. His girlfriend got murdered, he found he was being as a scapegoat in someone else's plot and rather than just being chased as in Identity, he went back and he exposed the bad guy from the first film while convincing the person sent to get him of his innocence; that's enough plot for most action films. Supremacy's a very decent script. Ultimatum isn't, but it was made so well that it doesn't matter.

[Tarl_Cabot]

I'd like to see Jason Bourne in east Asia for a change:Vietnam, Hong Kong/Macau, Singapore and Jakarta to name a few spots.

Oh, most definitely. The series really needs a breath of fresh air in terms of locations, and east Asia would be just the ticket. I'd love to see Bourne in Beijing, Shanghai, Tokyo.... Seoul would be number one on my list, though: a visually striking city that's not been particularly overexposed in Hollywood films, with a great Cold War feel - and the American military (and, presumably, intelligence) presence there would make it a natural place for some Bourne mayhem (or maybe the young Bourne even served there).

Seems he's writing an upcoming video game, THE BOURNE CONSPIRACY - if it does well, might it be the title of BOURNE 4?

Doubt it. Would they really name the film after the video game?

If the game were a success, why not? One imagines that the next film will have to be called THE BOURNE SUCH-AND-SUCH (unless, of course, they go the Stallone route and call it JASON BOURNE), so why not use a title that may have some "recognition factor" to it?

They pretty much only used the title on the first three installments.

True.

I don't see what would stop them about doing the same with LEGACY.

The only thing that I can see stopping them would be a requirement to buy the rights (which may also stop them calling the film THE BOURNE CONSPIRACY). Cheaper to think up their own THE BOURNE SUCH-AND-SUCH title than to pay Lustbader and co. Still, for all I know "they" may already have the movie rights to all Bourne titles - no idea how the situation stands.

I'd also like to see Bourne south of the border(it's a man's world! ). Mexico City, Columbia, Caracas(would Darth Chavez allow that?),Rio/Sao Paulo,Argentia...

[HH007]

I'm not sure about a 4th. They tied it off so well in Ultimatum.

I'm not sure about a fourth film either. SUPREMACY and ULTIMATUM were quite poor, IMO, and there really is no need four a fourth film. If they were to bring back Doug Liman, however, then I'd be one of the first in line to see that film, as THE BOURNE IDENTITY was one of, if not the, the best spy/espionage films in recent memory.

Agreed. I think whatever story there was to tell was told in the first film. Both the sequels were overrated and I think Bourne became a considerably less appealing character in them.

Completely agreed. SUPREMACY and ULTIMATUM are, IMO, are right alongside MICHAEL CLAYTON as the most overrated films of the decade. IDENTITY was infinitely better than its sequels, and it's a shame that we weren't given that quality throughout the trilogy. I know that many here have expressed doubts about Liman's directing ability since his departure from the series, but even if he could just recapture even a half of the magic that made THE BOURNE IDENTITY a great film, then it would still be far superior to what Greengrass has done with SUPREMACY and ULTIMATUM.

I have no doubts in Liman's directing abilities, I love the three films of his I've seen (Bourne I, GO, Swingers), it's just his choices in material lately haven't been up to par with what he's done in the past. Also, Paul Greengrass's United 93 I thought was excellent, and Bloody Sunday was quite good. So what's my problem with the Bourne sequels...? The scripts. There's nothing to them. Bourne Supremacy was a two hour chase scene. Bourne Ultimatum was a two hour chase scene. As I said, the story was told in the first movie and then dragged along and taken nowhere for two more. And it's funny you mention Michael Clayton (which I have yet to see) as being over-rated along with them, because they all share the same screenwriter... again, the scripts are the problem. The director can be brilliant, but you can't make a good movie out of a bad script.

But what an amazing job they did turning a thin script into a compelling action movie.

That's the thing, different strokes and all, but I didn't find Bourne 2 and 3 to be all that compelling. Aside from a couple of cool fight scenes, I found them rather dull, with a protagonist who becomes more aloof as the films go on. (As Leonard Maltin said, "we're rooting for Bourne not because he's a hero, but by default").

[Loomis]

As Leonard Maltin said, "we're rooting for Bourne not because he's a hero, but by default".

I'm normally a Maltin groupie, but I don't see where he's coming from here. Bourne is a hero in SUPREMACY - he triumphs over corrupt CIA officers and various evil people and wins the day for justice, underdog-style. How is that not heroic? Although you could argue that all that is simply a byproduct of his main desire, which is not to be a hero but to free himself from the people chasing him (but then that also applies to the first movie).

Ah, well, I think IDENTITY is still probably the best film of the series, but I also greatly enjoy SUPREMACY and ULTIMATUM and would welcome BOURNE 4.

[Tarl_Cabot]

I thought Identity was good. Supremacy was GREAT and Ultimatum was one of the best the best act 3s ever.