Back in April we heard that Universal were aiming for Bourne 4 to hit the big screen in summer 2011 and a script was being written by George Nolf, co-writer of The Bourne Ultimatum. However, according to The Playlist the hiring of a new writer a few months ago, Josh Zetumer, may have annoyed director Paul Greengrass, as he has apparently left the project.
Greengrass, who has been busy toiling away on “Green Zone,” was not consulted by Universal in the hiring of a new writer. This obviously did not make him happy, but that’s only part of the issue that’s been ongoing for some time.
Matt Damon has already said that “Green Zone,” another Universal film that Greengrass directed, cost $100 million to make. But the price tag of this Iraq War-set thriller is actually close to $150 million — Greengrass has reshot several times (gets expensive) and has been tinkering away in the editing room for months spending Universal’s money and testing their patience.
Considering everything Greengrass did with the Bourne franchise, he hasn’t been happy how he’s been treated on “Green Zone” and how hard the studio has been riding him. It seems like the straw has finally broken the camel’s back.
So right now, they’re citing “creative differences” and we expect this to hit the trades at any moment.
It’s unlikely that Matt Damon would do Bourne 4 without Greengrass so it’s pretty unlikely the film with go ahead. Unless, of course, Universal and Greengrass kiss and make up.
