Universal is pushing for The Bourne Legacy to be released in 2012 no matter what. I know what you are thinking. How the hell could they pull it off without Matt Damon and Paul Greengrass?! I’m with you, but here at TFS we want to consider the possibilities of this franchise. Here are twenty choices that wouldn’t (completely) screw up the franchise.
10. Zac Efron
Efron’s got the acting chops for something like this. With a few push-ups and maybe a haircut, this young stud could fill the Bourne void just as quickly as if he were 17…again. – Dan M.
9. Ryan Phillipe
The general consensus around the block seems to be that Mr. Phillippe’s career is on the permanent down slope. Even a co-starring job (MacGruber) looks like a failed comeback. But a comeback from what? The young thespian’s been grinding out solid performances in less solid flicks (Franklyn, Stop-Loss, Flags of Our Fathers) over the last few years. And let us not forget his best performance was playing a man who stopped a spy (Breach). – Dan M.
8. James MacAvoy
MacAvoy has been a star on the rise in the US since his breakthrough performance in The Last King of Scotland but has yet to reach a significant level of stardom. His association with Wanted gave his career a significant boost and taking on the Bourne series could turn him into a household name. – John L.
7. Mads Mikkelsen
By far the most “out there” casting suggestion on the list. Mikkelsen is a brute force of cinema, be he a good guy, bad guy or “good but kind of bad” guy. A straightforward choice he is not, but then neither were Michael Keaton as Batman or RDJ as Iron Man, and look how they turned out. Mikkelsen as Bourne would be strange, hard to explain and exciting to watch. – Dan M.
6. Chiwetel Ejiofor
Ejiofor is one of the greatest actors that no one is paying much attention to. He’s proven his versatility in films such as Kinky Boots, Talk To Me and Redbelt. It would be great to see the producers of Bourne 4 think outside the box and cast Ejiofor. – John L.
5. Clive Owen
Clive Owen has cemented himself as the go-to guy for mediocre actioneers but has also been effective in films like Children of Men. Taking over the role of Jason Bourne could work either way for the actor as the character has potential for greatness but the recasting of the character for a 4th film could result in a sea of mediocrity. – John L.
4. Chris Pine
This one’s a stretch, considering Mr. Pine’s now-beloved turn as the franchise-friendly Captain Kirk. But then Pine’s the right age, has the right look and has yet to disappoint. After all, Ryan Reynolds’ playing Deadpool and Green Lantern. Anything can happen. – Dan M.
3. Ryan Gosling
Gosling’s certainly one of the most talented actors on this list, and one of the most versatile. As he currently preps the actioner Drive with Nicholas Winding Refn, one has to wonder if this fits in with the actor’s new studio-friendly direction. – Dan M.
2. Michael Fassbender
Fassbender has had a strange, dream-like rise to fame. He co-starred in an action epic (300), then backed it up with acting chops in a critical darling (Fish Tank) and a high-budget art film (Inglourious Basterds). The man can do no wrong right now. Updating a successful franchise actually seems like a logical choice, provided he can still take art house sabbaticals from time to time. – Dan M.
1. Jeremy Renner
Though it feels like a strange choice at first glance, Renner’s perfect for Jason Bourne. An agent who’s isolated, cynical, fearless and precise. Remind you of any recent Renner performance in particular? – Dan M.
10. Joe Carnahan
Carnahan is so meteorically hit or miss. Narc is a little crime masterpiece, while the derivative, schlocky Smokin Aces is a reminder why movies like Narc are cherished so much. Bourne is right in his ballpark. He sits at number 10 on the list because he’s yet to prove he can step up to the plate consistently, and perform. – Dan M.
9. Juan José Campanella
Campanella is new to the “let’s put him on a list because we like his movies” game. And it’s only the one movie. But damn is it a doozie of a movie. El Secreto De Sus Ojos does everything right, which leaves one to assume Campanella can do no wrong. That includes a Bourne movie. – Dan M.
8. Pierre Morel
Pierre Morel knows action. With films like Taken, From Paris With Love and District B13 in his filmography this man knows how to thrill audiences. His knack for capturing fluid and visually arresting action sequences on film is something that would benefit the Bourne franchise greatly. He has proved to us time and time again he knows how to take a script and create one hell of a roller coaster ride out of it. – Matt T.
7. Doug Liman
It’s strange how most forget that Doug Liman jump-started the Bourne franchise, which most box office trackers claimed would be still born before it even opened. Liman’s action direction in the first film is the cleanest, most economical of the series. A little bit of returned order would be nice. – Dan M.
6. Peter Berg
Berg is no less hit-or-miss than Carnahan, but he’s got more of both. Looking at the list, he’s one of the most logical decisions studio wise. One concern: Berg shoots handheld, Greengrass shoots handheld. If this is to be a reboot, it’s probably best to make sure the boots are new. But, like they say, if the shoe fits… – Dan M.
5. Danny Boyle
Boyle’s on a hot streak. Sunshine has gained well-deserved cult traction and Slumdog still hasn’t finished counting it’s Oscars. The man shoots quick and cheap and has an amazing, precise team behind him. Boyle’s a studio’s wet dream in this economy. – Dan M.
4. Kevin Macdonald
The jury’s still out on MacDonald. ‘The Last King Of Scotland’ feels like a movie without a voice, and ‘State of Play’ feels like something that should’ve meant a little bit more. But he’s clearly an actor’s director, and if you’re going to re-do a franchise, the acting needs to feel fresh and new. MacDonald can provide as much, and perhaps a bit more. – Dan M.
3. Steven Soderbergh
Soderbergh makes this list because Soderbergh should make any list of directors who should direct something. And he’s worked with pretty much every actor working today. And he’s Steven Soderbergh. – Dan M.
2. Anton Corbijn
Corbijn just made a Bourne movie with George Clooney (The American). His eye for photography (see Control) rivals anyone in the business, and location has always been one of the most essential tools of the franchise. Imagine Bourne in black and white? – Dan M.
1. Tony Gilroy
Gilroy sits atop the list because, frankly, he’s the most radical choice. Though he’s had writing credits on all of the Bourne films, his directed efforts (not to mention ‘State of Play,’ which he wrote with Matthew Michael Carnahan) are full of talk, talk, talk. To give him full control would presumably allow him to write the Bourne he wants to, and a Bourne with more than one layer would be an interesting thing to see. – Dan M.
Agree with our choices? Who would you want to see take over Bourne?