Earlier in the week it was reported that Matt Damon and director Paul Greengrass are returning to the Bourne franchise for another instalment in the spy series, suggesting that the film would take on the 2016 release date slated for the sequel to the Jeremy Renner-led The Bourne Legacy.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, producer Frank Marshall has revealed that Damon and Greengrass are yet to officially sign on for another movie, so Universal is instead moving forward with both projects simultaneously in the hopes of reaching a deal with the duo:
“[The Bourne Legacy sequel] is moving forward. It’s still in development. We’re working to get a script as soon as possible. We’re on two tracks. And if this one [with Damon and Greengrass] comes together, great, but they’re still just talking.”
So, it seems that Universal is eying a shared Bourne universe, following both Jason Bourne and Aaron Cross. However, if the studio is looking to fill the July 2016 release date with Damon and Greengrass’ Bourne movie it will need to move quickly, especially as Greengrass has an adaptation of American Nightmare: The Ballad of Richard Jewell starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Jonah Hill on his upcoming slate.